Is it safe to charge my phone at a public USB port?
Usually, but there's a small risk. A phone's charging port carries data as well as power, and a rigged public port could try to steal data or install malware. This is called juice jacking. The FBI and FCC have warned about it, though confirmed real-world cases are rare.
Phones already protect you. An iPhone asks whether to Trust This Computer and then wants your passcode. Android phones usually charge only, with no data shared, until you choose to allow file transfer.
The simplest fix is to avoid giving the port a data connection at all.
What to do
- Plug your own charger into a wall outlet instead of a USB port
- Carry a battery pack
- Use a charge-only cable, which has no data wires
- If your phone asks whether to trust a device or share data, choose no or charge only
How secure is your phone overall? Take the 2-minute checkup →
Go deeper
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