Today's #securityHygiene post: Public charging stations.
I know you. Your plane is delayed, you're sitting in the terminal, tooting, watching netflix, reading the news, whatever... your battery warning pops up, you have about 10 more minutes before your phone dies and at least an hour before your plane gets there. But wait, there's a free charging station right over there!
Don't use it! The wires that send power can also send data; malicious data. Use your own power.
https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/technology/public-ports-charging-bad-stop/index.html
@rstwohee - yeah, I carry 1 large one, my wife carries 2 - one large one, and one you'd easily mistake for a lipstick case.
@0x56 my little sister gave me a new power bank for my birthday
@Kitty62862 - they are great little devices
There are also data-blocker devices (aka USB condom) available, just in case you absolutely need to use random public charging terminals - e.g. hotels, airports/planes, etc.
Never a bad idea to keep one or two on hand.
@katharsys2012 @Kitty62862 - true, but your own charger is cheaper and you'll need it anyway.
@katharsys2012 @0x56 Recommendation?!
@katharsys2012 I tried one of those but the USB connector tore the end and now I think my phone is pregnant π³ @Kitty62862 @0x56
@BillyBones @0x56 @katharsys2012 ππππππππ
@katharsys2012 @Kitty62862 @0x56 ah! π beat me to it
@0x56 I use a power bank as a 'buffer' between my phone and a power source most of the time. Thoughts on that?
I have plugged my phone into suspicious outlets before, but try to avoid it and should do a better job at that.
@0x56 Not necessarily in the same scenario, but like at work. I plug my power bank into the work PC, phone into power bank.
@evistre - the main AC power is almost perfectly saft if you're using your own charger - the problem is those charging stations and USB charging ports at hotels, airports, conferences, etc.
@0x56 Ok! Cool. I do use my own charger the vast majority of the time, when I can't is generally when I use a power bank as buffer. Sounds like that's the right thing to do. Thanks! :)
@0x56 or carry a USB condom. Those things are great.
@0x56 Which is why I carry a monster sized battery with me. Also have a charger can plug into a regular electrical outlet. I see folks all the time plugging in to those free stations and just cringe!