Be careful if you recharge a mobile mobile device on a USB socket in a public place: it could be contaminated by a computer virus! Use a USB condom to avoid infection.
The mobile devices that have invaded our daily lives – phones, tablets, laptops, wireless headphones, connected watches, etc. – have one thing in common: they all operate using a battery which provides them with the necessary electrical energy. And this battery needs to be recharged regularly because it does not have infinite autonomy. An operation that goes through their USB socket, using a cable and a charger. And as these products are increasingly popular, USB charging sockets can now be found in many public places (stations, airports, trains, planes, cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, etc.). Very practical sockets for rapid charging, and often free, to avoid breaking down when you are on the move, far from a power outlet.
The only thing is: if they seem harmless, these public USB sockets can be used to inject computer viruses when the devices we plug into them. Indeed, hackers are increasingly using public USB ports to introduce malware into devices in order to steal personal data. This is what we call juice jacking. They benefit from the data transfer function via the USB cable, while you use the charging function.
All devices that run using an operating system with some memory can be affected – even sex toys can be infected this way, as happened to a woman recently! In any case, the situation can turn into a nightmare. Cybercriminals can take control of your device to siphon off your personal data in one go or, more viciously, hit you with a persistent attack, which can last for months. They install malware that takes care of spying on you. Messaging, photos, videos, contacts, passwords, two-factor authentication, bank codes… Everything goes! They can even remotely activate your microphone or camera.
Fortunately, there is a simple accessory to protect you from any infection: the USB condom. This is a small adapter the size of a USB key to be inserted between the USB socket of your device, at the end of its cable, and the USB charging socket. This little “dongle” has no active function: simply, the metal pins which are used to pass data through USB have been removed. It only has the pins used for the 5 volt power supply. Thus, it only allows the current necessary for electrical charging to pass, preventing any computer data, and therefore any software, whether malicious or not, from entering a device. There is therefore no risk of catching the slightest virus: it is an absolute protection! This is why it is also called “data blocker” (data blocker in French).
Easy to transport and use, the USB condom is also inexpensive: you can find them for a handful of euros on e-commerce sites like Amazon. So no reason to deprive yourself of it, especially if you often use public USB sockets! Also note that the USB condom is also very useful if you charge your phone or tablet on a computer, which may be contaminated. And, in the absence of this accessory, avoid self-service USB sockets and plug your usual charger, or an equivalent, into a simple conventional electrical socket: this is still the safest solution to avoid getting infected.