How to Protect Your Smartphone from Being Hacked via Public Chargers

Experts from Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have warned about the risk of a juice jacking attack — when hackers gain access to your personal data or infect your device with malware via USB cables.

Associate Professor Anton Kamenskikh explained that charging from a regular power outlet is safe. Problems arise when using someone else's cables, rental power banks, or public charging stations — these may contain embedded chips used for hacking.

Associate Professor Daniil Kurushin added that such attacks are only possible under certain conditions: if the phone uses outdated software and has disabled security features.

How to protect your smartphone:

• Use your own chargers and cables.
• If you need to charge in a public place, use a cable labeled "Charging only" or "Power cable" — these provide power only and do not transmit data.