Juice jacking

Juice jacking is a form of hacking that compromises a device's USB charging port or charging cable, allowing hackers to break into a device without the owner's knowledge. Hackers can upload malware onto the device or extricate data from a connected device.

How does juice jacking work?

Juice jacking occurs via a device's charging port or cable. The vulnerability lies in the amount and various ways the charging port and cable are used.

A USB port can transfer data, as well as charge a device. While a USB connector has five pins, only one is necessary for charging a connected device and two of the remaining five are used for transferring data. When connected to a computer's USB port via a cord for charging, the user also has the option to move files between the device and computer. This is when malware can be uploaded to a phone or data can be accessed.

A juice-jacking attack may copy sensitive data from the device, including passwords, files, contacts, texts and voicemails. Because a cable is used to both charge or transfer data for many devices, such as tablets and smartphones, it is easy for malicious hackers to use them in an attack.

It is hard to track specific kinds of malware crimes because people may not realize they have been a victim of an attack or may have no way of knowing how the attack happened once they realize their device is infected.

Types of juice jacking

There are several types of juice jacking, including the following:

• Data theft. In data theft juice-jacking attacks, the user is not aware that his or her sensitive information has been stolen. Depending how long a device is left plugged into a compromised cable or port, very large amounts of data may be compromised. Given enough time and storage space, hackers may even be able to make a full backup of the data on a device.

• Malware installation. When malware installation juice-jacking attacks occur, the malware placed on the device may do a great deal of damage, including manipulation of a phone or computer, spying on a user, locking the user out of the device or stealing information.

• Multi-device attack. On top of harming the device plugged into a compromised charger, a device charged by infected cables may in turn infect other cables and ports with the same malware as an unknowing carrier of the virus.

• Disabling attack. Some malware uploaded through a charging device can lock the owner out of their device, giving full access to the hacker.

How to protect against juice jacking

Users can guard against juice-jacking attacks by using a protective USB dongle attachment that only allows a charge through a charging port but does not allow any data to transfer. This kind of protective device works by temporarily disabling the data pin on a USB charger until the owner wants to transfer data with a trusted cord and port.

Another way to prevent this type of attack is to avoid using any chargers that are plugged into open spaces or charging kiosks in places like airports, libraries, train stations or shopping malls. In addition, it is a best practice to never accept free promotional charging devices or devices from unverified sources or people.

It's recommended to only use personal chargers purchased from safe sources and to store them as securely as other devices. Anytime someone plugs a smartphone or other device into a public charger, that person may be risking compromising all the personal information stored on that device.

It is also important to keep devices and software programs updated. New protections are always being created for new kinds of attacks.

Devices used for juice jacking attacks

USB ports and phone charging cables are the most common devices used in juice-jacking attacks. Other less common devices that may be used in juice-jacking attempts include routers, computers, video game console USB ports, automobile cigarette chargers and power banks.