ATLANTA — As technology improves and threats to our privacy increase, Channel 2 Consumer Adviser Clark Howard says you need to be vigilant.
The security researchers at Aries Security agree.
In 2011, a team at Aries brought awareness to a threat it calls juice jacking.
By plugging onto a cable that’s not yours at a public charging station, you may be allowing attackers to take data off your phone or plant malware on it.
Most smartphones have added an alert that pops up when you plug in, asking if you trust the device.
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Aries CEO Brian Markus says people looking for a quick charge should still be on guard.
“Any power kiosk that comes out and has the actual power cable that plugs into your phone should be considered a potential risk because you don't know what's on the other end of that,” Markus said.
Markus explained that what’s on the other end of that cable could be a tiny drive recording everything on your screen -- including the passwords you type and the messages you send. It’s called video jacking, and it allows attackers to take advantage of your phone's HDMI capabilities.
Markus said his team wanted to find out how easy it was to video jack phone users. %
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His team was able to set up the hack for under $300, and because the hack is hidden behind the outlet, it’s not something someone in a hurry for power would notice.
“People don't realize it, and they don't know what they're giving up,” Markus explained.
He said there are easy ways you can protect yourself from the attackers.
“Carry a two-prong power cord and physically plug in, or carry a battery pack. That way you don't have to worry about this as an issue whatsoever,” Markus said.
Clark said buying a backup battery pack for $2.50 is another way to keep charged and avoid the attack.
Cox Media Group
