Cyber crimes: Know what juice jacking is and how to protect yourself!

What is Juice Jacking? 

When you wait for a train or flight and your phone runs out of charge, you would plug your phone in a charging circuit. But do you know it can steal your data? Well that is called Juice Jacking. It is a stealthy threat that involves hacking into your mobile devices for gaining access to all your sensitive personal information. Juice Jacking results in the loss of your private data on your mobile  phones to hackers while you charge them in public places like railway or bus stations. Juice Jacking can turn into a data security nightmare for you. 

How is it done? 

Lets’ know how Juice Jacking happens. Plugging your mobile device into public USB ports leaves you vulnerable to data theft, as cybercriminals siphon off sensitive information through compromised cables. All your personal data, from passwords to financial details will be stolen from your mobile device as you charge at these risky USB ports in public places. 

Malware is installed through these charging cables and USB ports and your phone is targeted. In simple terms, the malware contains a virus that is deliberately infected. Through this, hackers gain access to all your personal information on your mobile phone including debit card, credit card details, intimate photos and videos and even allow hackers to transfer money from your bank accounts through your compromised mobile phone. 

How to protect? 

1. Stay clear of charging phones in public places
2. Keep your phones completely charged
3. Carry USB cables 
4. Carry replacement batteries