The FBI is warning people to not use public phone charging stations as hackers have been taking advantage of the situation to infect connected devices with malware.
“Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers,” FBI Denver said in an April 6 Twitter post. “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.”
Malware is software designed to gain unauthorized access to devices such as mobile phones and laptops. Once hackers gain access, they can manipulate the device’s tools and apps for their own personal gain or to disrupt the original user’s life. Criminals can track keystrokes, get a hold of personal information, and commit identity fraud, as well as use financial information to steal funds, among other activities….