Why You Shouldn't Charge Your Phone at the Airport

Surfing a little more, watching shows to pass the time, texting loved ones before the flight, or having the electronic boarding pass ready: Having a smartphone at the airport is not only practical, but it has also become somewhat normal. Let's be honest: Does your anxiety level rise as your battery percentage drops?

Airports are aware of our phone dependency and have installed charging stations everywhere in reach - often with integrated USB ports. However, you should avoid using these, or you might fall victim to 'Juice-Jacking'. This is the name given to a type of fraud where travelers' data is stolen when they charge their smartphones at places like airports.

In recent years, experts have repeatedly warned about the danger. 'Plugging your phone into a public USB port is like finding a toothbrush on the side of the road and deciding to put it in your mouth. You have no idea where it's been,' compared Caleb Barlow, an internet security expert at IBM Internet Security Systems, which provides security software, to charging stations at airports.

The concern: Harmful software could potentially be transferred to your phone through the USB port without you noticing, making travelers targets for cyber attacks. Passwords, bank data, or personal photos - all could potentially be at risk. Fake charging stations could also download data and photos from users.

However, Dan Goodin, lead security editor at 'Ars Technica', recently attempted to ease these fears: 'There are no documented cases of Juice Jacking ever happening in the wild.' Anyway, modern iPhones and Android devices offer a security alert before transferring files over standard connected cables.

However, in their rush, individuals might confirm the security alert without reading it. Thus, the danger of a cyber attack becomes real again. What then are the alternatives when your battery is nearly empty?

In an interview with 'Forbes', expert Caleb Barlow advises: Instead of using the integrated USB ports, bring an ordinary charging cable with an adapter and use an outlet at the airport. Or, get a mobile power bank beforehand, which you can also find at airports in a pinch.

If you absolutely cannot avoid USB charging stations, you can get a gadget: often called a 'USB condom' or 'Juice-Jack Defender', costing around 10 dollars. You clip it onto your charging cable. The adapter is supposed to prevent data transfer over the cable. 'It only lets the power through,' explains the expert.

What do travelers need to know right now? Find all the important news for your vacation at the bettercities.net.