Return of an Old Threat: Why Juice Jacking is Making Headlines Again

With the peak travel season in full swing, several old cyber threats are re-emerging from the shadows. One such threat is called juice jacking, and it’s been making headlines ever since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a warning on April 27, 2023.

In the following sections, we’re going to unpack this cyber threat, explaining exactly what juice jacking is and, more importantly, how you can fortify your defenses against it for future juice jacking prevention.

What Is Juice Jacking?

Juice jacking is an attack that targets our beloved smartphones and tablets—devices that conveniently use the same cable for charging and data transfer. The goal? To sneak malware onto your device or slyly copy sensitive data, all while you think your device is merely getting a power boost.

Here’s how a juice jacking attack can happen: you’re at an airport, your phone battery is nearly empty, and you spot a free USB charging port.

Relief washes over you as you plug in your device.

Your device starts charging as expected, but unknown to you, there might be more going on under the surface…

That innocent-looking USB port isn’t just supplying your phone with much-needed power; it could also be acting as a gateway for uninvited guests.

Is Juice Jacking a Real Threat?

The first juice jacking attack was conducted at DefCon in 2011 by researchers from Aires Security. Since then, other researchers have demonstrated several other juice jacking methods, each more sophisticated than the last.

For example, the year 2016 saw the introduction of video jacking, a threat that involves a USB charging cable capable of recording and sending video footage from a smartphone screen to a USB flash drive for later viewing.

What these and other demonstrations of juice jacking have in common is their theoretical nature. Indeed, there has never been a documented case of juice jacking happening in the wild. Even the 2019 advisory published by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, whose headline said, “Criminals Use Public USB Chargers to Steal Malware,” was part of an ongoing fraud education campaign.

Does this mean that juice jacking isn’t a real threat? Well, yes and no:

• Yes, in the sense that as of today, there have been no confirmed reports of juice jacking attacks occurring in the wild, so the likelihood of an average person becoming a victim of such an attack appears to be extremely low (the same can’t be said about the risks associated with the use of public Wi-Fi networks). The warnings about juice jacking largely originate from cybersecurity researchers and professionals demonstrating theoretical vulnerabilities, not from documented incidents.
• No, because the technical feasibility of juice jacking is well established. The demonstrations by various security researchers have shown that it’s possible to install malware or siphon data from devices via a USB connection under certain conditions. As a result, the threat of juice jacking can’t be entirely dismissed. It could be a tool in the arsenal of an attacker, particularly those aiming at high-value targets or conducting industrial espionage.

As such, juice jacking should be seen as a potential threat and addressed by taking appropriate precautions.

How to Protect Against Juice Jacking

Whether you’re an executive on a business trip or a casual traveler on vacation, it’s vital to understand that the convenience of using public USB ports comes with potential risks. The good news is that a few simple precautionary measures are enough to completely protect you from the threat of juice jacking:

• Avoid public charging stations: The most effective juice jacking countermeasure is avoiding public charging stations altogether because they are the primary locations where juice jacking can occur.
• Use your own AC adapter or power bank: Instead of relying on public charging stations, bring your own AC adapter to plug into a power outlet or use a power bank.
• Use a USB data blocker: Also known as a USB condom, this device connects only power transfer pins, making it physically impossible to transfer data. To use it, you simply plug your charging cord into this device, and then plug the blocker into the USB port for safer charging.
• Don’t authorize data transfers on your device: Be vigilant about your device’s security prompts. If you’re asked to trust the connected device or allow data transfer when you’re just trying to charge, always decline.
• Never root or jailbreak your device: While it may offer greater control over your device, rooting or jailbreaking it can leave it significantly more vulnerable to a variety of threats, including juice jacking.

By keeping these juice jacking protection strategies in mind, we can all enjoy our travels and commutes without falling prey to juice jacking.

Conclusion on Juice Jacking and Mobile Phone USB Ports

While the threat of juice jacking is real, it doesn’t have to be a looming danger every time you need to charge your device. Awareness is the key, and armed with the knowledge and tools provided in this article, you are now well-equipped to keep this threat at bay. Keep your business safe with OSIbeyond. Our IT support & strategy services are tailored to meet the needs of small and medium-sized organizations in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Contact us today.