HARRISBURG, PA – June 17, 2025 – As summer travel and outdoor activity increase across Pennsylvania and beyond, the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania is warning residents about a growing cybersecurity threat: tampered public USB charging stations. Following a recent alert from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), cybersecurity experts are urging travelers and the general public to avoid using public USB charging ports, particularly in high-traffic areas such as airports, train stations, hotels, shopping centers, and even coffee shops.
Criminals have been discovered installing malicious software into public USB charging ports—a tactic known as “juice jacking”—to silently compromise smartphones and other devices. When unsuspecting users plug in for a quick charge, malware can be secretly transferred onto the device, allowing hackers to access sensitive personal information such as passwords, bank account logins, and credit card details.
“This is more than just a technical nuisance—this is digital theft in broad daylight,” said Scott Davis, Chairman of the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania. “As more of us spend time outdoors, attend events, or travel with family over the summer months, our devices are in constant use. That low battery warning can lead people to make a split-second decision to plug into a public charger—and that’s all it takes for a cybercriminal to gain access to your private information.”
Davis emphasized that all public USB charging stations should be considered potentially compromised unless they are under the control of a trusted and secure provider. "The ports may look safe, but you can't see what’s happening behind the scenes. It’s essentially a digital pickpocketing technique,” he said.
The Association recommends several simple strategies to avoid falling victim to juice jacking. Instead of plugging directly into a public USB port, individuals should use a personal charging brick and plug it into a standard electrical outlet. Carrying a portable battery pack or a USB data blocker is another effective solution for secure on-the-go charging.
Additionally, Davis offers a practical tip to reduce battery drain during long summer days: “One of the easiest and most overlooked ways to extend your phone’s battery life is by switching to low power mode early in the day. This cuts down background app activity, location tracking, and unnecessary refreshes that silently drain your battery before you even realize it.”
The Association also reminds the public to avoid using unsecured public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, to enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts, and to keep all devices updated with the latest software patches.
“As technology becomes more integrated into our everyday lives, cybersecurity becomes everyone’s responsibility,” Davis said. “Our mission at the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania is to protect our communities through awareness and action. Being cautious about where—and how—you charge your device is a small habit that can prevent a major security breach.”
For more cybersecurity tips, alerts, and to learn how to become a Cyber Champion, visit PennCyber.com.
Contact:
Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania
Email:
Website: www.penncyber.com
Phone: (717) 648-9080