Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
If you connect your devices to anything public, be it wireless or wired Internet, or USB power charging stations, it is best to assume that these are not safe. While you can protect your data in several ways, e.g. by using a VPN when you need to access the Internet while connected to a public or untrusted network, it is sometimes the case that simple things are overlooked. In November 2019, Los Angeles' District Attorney's Office published an advisory to travelers about the potential dangers of public USB ports. These ports could be used for an attack that has been called juice-jacking. Juice Jacking basically allows attackers to steal data or infect devices that unsuspecting people plug into specifically prepared USB power stations. The Distrcit[sic] Attorney's Office recommended that travelers use AC power outlets directly, use portable chargers, or charge devices in cars instead of using public USB chargers. While that is sound advice, it may not be possible sometimes to use these alternatives. That's where the Original USB Condom comes into play.
Source: https://www.ghacks.net/2019/12/09/usb-condoms-are-a-thing-now/
Is "juice jacking" really a thing though? Have any of you soylentils out there actually seen a rogue USB plug in the wild?
(Score: 3, Informative) by driverless on Saturday December 14 2019, @02:41AM
As the above post points out, you've been able to buy these for years, including ones that do the proper silly-walk for higher-power USB charging modes. I use the PortaPow ones, they do the necessary silly-walk, are bright red so you know they're present and in use, and aren't some Aliexpress special where you have no idea whether you're actually getting the protection you're paying for.