The government has recently issued a warning advising citizens to exercise caution when utilizing public USB ports to charge their smartphones, particularly in places like airports, cafes, hotels, and bus stands. This caution comes in light of the rising concern around the USB charger scam, a method employed by cybercriminals to target unsuspecting individuals who rely on these charging stations while on the go.
The USB charger scam poses a serious threat as cybercriminals engage in juice-jacking to compromise these ports and launch attacks on connected devices. Through this tactic, hackers are able to steal sensitive data, implant malware on devices, and potentially hijack users’ gadgets without their knowledge.
To safeguard against falling victim to the USB charger scam, individuals are advised to take certain precautions:
1. Utilize electrical wall outlets or carry personal charging cables/power banks whenever possible.
2. Secure devices with PIN or password locks and refrain from pairing with unknown devices.
3. Consider charging devices while turned off to reduce exposure to external threats.
4. Keep smartphone software updated to address security vulnerabilities.
5. Install malware detection software for added protection against malicious attacks.
Should anyone find themselves targeted by the USB charging scam, immediate reporting is recommended by contacting 1930 or filing a cyber fraud report at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in. Taking swift action is crucial in addressing any potential consequences of falling victim to such scams.
