Protect Yourself While On the Go: Avoid Juice Jacking

Have you ever charged your electronic devices at a mall or an airport? By plugging your device into a seemingly harmless USB port or cable, fraudsters can quickly gain access to your personal information by installing malware or stealing data from your device.

Thankfully, most mobile phone developers have noticed this fraudster technique and have taken steps to make their devices more secure. Most mobile phones now have added authentication features to prevent unauthorized access to your data.

Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself

There are safe ways to charge your electronic devices in a public area and enjoy the convenience of using your phone or laptop on the go.

1. Bring your own charger. Skip the free charging cables that you might see at the mall or airport and use your own charger. By bringing your own AC adapter, you can use any available outlet with peace of mind.
2. Get a power-only USB cable. These cables omit the pins that are responsible for transmitting data when plugged in to an outlet. This means that they will only charge your device and are guaranteed to prevent data from being transferred.
3. Use a portable charger. A portable charger may be a slightly more expensive option — however, you can freely charge your device without needing to locate a power or USB outlet. You are also able to move freely with a portable charging device.

Remember, Wescom will NEVER call or text you to ask for passwords, authentication codes, PINs, or other account information. If you’re contacted or anything seems suspicious—even if the caller ID says Wescom—hang up and call us at 1-888-4WESCOM (1-888-493-7266) or report any suspicious activity by visiting wescom.org/security-center.