NEWS – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a cautionary message to mobile phone users advising them against charging their devices using public ports. The warning comes amidst growing concerns over the security risks posed by a cyberattack known as “juice jacking.”

JUICE JACKING

• Term used to describe a cybersecurity threat involving the unauthorized access of a device, such as a smartphone or tablet, when it is connected to a public charging station or an unknown USB charging port
• The term “juice jacking” was first coined in 2011 by investigative journalist Brian Krebs.
• The term is a combination of “juice,” referring to electric power, and “jacking,” derived from “hijacking.”

How Juice Jacking Works:

1. Public Charging Stations: Many public spaces, such as airports, malls, or public transportation hubs, offer charging stations where users can plug in their devices to charge.
2. Malicious USB Ports: Attackers can manipulate these charging stations by installing malicious hardware or using compromised USB ports. When a user connects their device to the infected charging port, the attacker gains access to the device’s data.
3. Data Transfer: The compromised charging station may exploit the data transfer capabilities of USB ports to install malware or access sensitive information on the connected device.