Juice-hacking happens when someone manipulates a public USB port or charging cable to steal information.
Free electric charging plugs at airports, bus stops, shopping centers, hotels, pubs/restaurants, libraries, automotive repair shops, and other public places are prime targets for the hack that introduces malware and monitoring software onto devices, possibly pulling device data (cache, passwords, images, etc), tracking keystrokes, and even locking the device.
Other areas that tend to attract scammers are hubs for travelers — places where people on the move congregate, need to recharge quickly, and often don’t have their own tech gear handy.
The FBI recently issued an alert encouraging people to avoid using free electric charging plugs altogether. You can avoid juice-hacking by using a personal charger in an AC power outlet and ensuring you carry your own personal charger during travel. You might also consider a charging-only cable with a USB data blocker, which prohibits data transfers while charging.
More information is available at this Federal Communications Commission webpage: https://www.fcc.gov/juice-jacking-tips-to-avoid-it. Let us know if you have any questions.
OWU Sponsoring Organization/Office: Information Services
Contact: David Soliday at helpdesk@owu.edu