The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. The Denver branch in a tweet said, "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead." The organisation told CBS News that there is no specific incident that caused the public announcement, rather was meant as a "field warning." While these charging stations are useful to many when devices are running low on battery, cyber experts have been raising security&nbsp;concerns for years.

In the last four years, the threats designed to propagate over USB or exploit USB for infection rose to 52 per cent, the 2022 USB Threat report by Honeywell Forge said. &nbsp;

In 2011, they introduced the term "juice jacking" to describe the problem.&nbsp;

<h3>What is juice jacking?</h3>

A term coined in 2011, still remains a concern. It means a security vulnerability in which a tampered or infected USB charging station is used to compromise linked devices.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials warned malware installed through corrupted USB ports can lock a device or even export personal data including passwords directly to criminals.&nbsp;

Drew Paik, a former employee of security firm Authentic8 told news agency CNN that plugging your phone into a (compromised) charger infects your device and data. If the port is compromised, then&nbsp;there is no limit to what extent a hacker could access the information. The hacker can even lock your device.

Experts have advised never to use a charger that isn't yours or someone you know.

The FCC in its recent blog post said, "In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations.&nbsp;There have even been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts."

<h3>Steps to avoid juice jacking?</h3>

Like the FBI, FCC recommends public to avoid using public USB charging stations and use a power outlet instead. In case you're travelling, always carry a portable charger or an external battery.&nbsp;

If you don't have any of these and are compelled to use a public station, thoroughly inspect it and if it appears to have been tampered with in any way, don't use it.&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning people to not use public phone charging stations or USB ports to avoid exposing their devices to malicious software. The Denver branch in a tweet said, "Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centres. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead." The organisation told CBS News that there is no specific incident that caused the public announcement, rather was meant as a "field warning." While these charging stations are useful to many when devices are running low on battery, cyber experts have been raising security concerns for years. In the last four years, the threats designed to propagate over USB or exploit USB for infection rose to 52 per cent, the 2022 USB Threat report by Honeywell Forge said. In 2011, they introduced the term "juice jacking" to describe the problem. What is juice jacking? A term coined in 2011, still remains a concern. It means a security vulnerability in which a tampered or infected USB charging station is used to compromise linked devices. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials warned malware installed through corrupted USB ports can lock a device or even export personal data including passwords directly to criminals. Drew Paik, a former employee of security firm Authentic8 told news agency CNN that plugging your phone into a (compromised) charger infects your device and data. If the port is compromised, then there is no limit to what extent a hacker could access the information. The hacker can even lock your device. Experts have advised never to use a charger that isn't yours or someone you know. The FCC in its recent blog post said, "In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations. There have even been reports of infected cables being given away as promotional gifts." Steps to avoid juice jacking? Like the FBI, FCC recommends public to avoid using public USB charging stations and use a power outlet instead. In case you're travelling, always carry a portable charger or an external battery. If you don't have any of these and are compelled to use a public station, thoroughly inspect it and if it appears to have been tampered with in any way, don't use it.

Beware of juice jacking: FBI warns against using public USB charging points over security concerns

A 28-year-old Indian doctor has been arrested for allegedly groping a minor girl who was sitting next to him on a New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight, according to media reports.

The 16-year-old girl, who was travelling alone on July 23, was asleep on the flight, when a stranger&#39;s hand on her thigh awakened her, the Washington Post reported.

The man, identified as Vijakumar Krishnappa, sitting next to her quickly removed his hand, according to a federal court complaint, and the teenager went back to sleep. Then, she woke up again &nbsp;and this time, the man was groping her, the complaint says.

She reported the incident to the airline crew and was allowed to move seats.

Once the flight from Seattle landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the girl, from Washington state, called her parents. While she did, the accused left the airport, said Johnny McCray, an attorney for the girl&#39;s family.

The girl&#39;s family has filed a complaint against United Airlines for neglecting to detain Krishnappa after the alleged assault, the report said.

The FBI was called to handle the investigation. It used the flight manifest to track down Krishnappa, a doctor from India. The girl identified him from a photo array, ABC reported.

Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI charging him with criminal sexual contact.

Court records show he was arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a minor female, the report said.

He has been released on bond, placed on electronic monitoring, and ordered to not have any contact with minors while the criminal case is pending, according to court records.

The doctor&#39;s court-appointed attorney, John Yauch, told the Post that his client &quot;adamantly denies the charges and deserves to be considered an innocent man.&quot;

Krishnappa is studying medicine in the United States through a months-long fellowship that allows for doctors from foreign countries to learn from experts in the US, the daily said.

A spokesman from the Federal Aviation Administration told the daily that the airlines typically notify law enforcement about incidents before landing.

&quot;The safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We take these allegations seriously and continue to work closely with the proper authorities as part of their review,&quot; a spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI

A 28-year-old Indian doctor has been arrested for allegedly groping a minor girl who was sitting next to him on a New Jersey-bound United Airlines flight, according to media reports. The 16-year-old girl, who was travelling alone on July 23, was asleep on the flight, when a stranger's hand on her thigh awakened her, the Washington Post reported. The man, identified as Vijakumar Krishnappa, sitting next to her quickly removed his hand, according to a federal court complaint, and the teenager went back to sleep. Then, she woke up again and this time, the man was groping her, the complaint says. She reported the incident to the airline crew and was allowed to move seats. Once the flight from Seattle landed at Newark Liberty International Airport, the girl, from Washington state, called her parents. While she did, the accused left the airport, said Johnny McCray, an attorney for the girl's family. The girl's family has filed a complaint against United Airlines for neglecting to detain Krishnappa after the alleged assault, the report said. The FBI was called to handle the investigation. It used the flight manifest to track down Krishnappa, a doctor from India. The girl identified him from a photo array, ABC reported. Krishnappa was charged in the federal court in Newark, a day after the incident, according to court records filed by the FBI charging him with criminal sexual contact. Court records show he was arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a minor female, the report said. He has been released on bond, placed on electronic monitoring, and ordered to not have any contact with minors while the criminal case is pending, according to court records. The doctor's court-appointed attorney, John Yauch, told the Post that his client "adamantly denies the charges and deserves to be considered an innocent man." Krishnappa is studying medicine in the United States through a months-long fellowship that allows for doctors from foreign countries to learn from experts in the US, the daily said. A spokesman from the Federal Aviation Administration told the daily that the airlines typically notify law enforcement about incidents before landing. "The safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We take these allegations seriously and continue to work closely with the proper authorities as part of their review," a spokesperson for United Airlines said in a statement.

Indian doctor arrested in US for groping teen on United Airlines flight

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Beware of juice jacking: FBI warns against using public USB charging points over security concerns

Indian doctor arrested in US for groping teen on United Airlines flight