Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why You Should Reconsider Charging Your Phone at the Airport

usb charging port
Smolaw11/Getty Images

The average person travels with a thousand dollars or more in carry-on electronics these days. There’s a reason most of us scurry to find electrical outlets at every layover. It turns out public USB outlets — especially those at airports — aren’t as harmless as you might expect. Now, tech security experts are warning against a new kind of USB hacking called “juice-jacking.”

Recommended Videos

In November, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a video cautioning travelers against USB charger scams. Because USB cables can transfer both power and data, so-called juice-jacking is relatively straightforward. Hackers load malware (like a virus) into USB power outlets at airports, hotel lobbies, or cafes. When an unsuspecting user plugs their device into the outlet directly with a USB cable, that device can become infected. The malicious software can then be used to take control of the device (by locking or “bricking” it to make it unusable) or, worse, to steal sensitive data like passwords, bank account logins, credit card numbers, and more.

#FraudFriday - USB Charger Scam

When The New York Times covered the hacking method last month, news outlets across the country couldn’t wait to reshare it with their readers. After all, the technique is child’s play even for a novice hacker with only a bit of tech-savvy and physical access to the USB port in question. The big question, though, is how likely the average traveler’s devices are to be “jacked.” Sure, it’s possible, but is it likely? Snopes confirms the threat is real but minimal: “While it is technically possible for crooks to steal information or install malware via public USB ports, this practice doesn’t appear to be widespread.”

The two experts interviewed for The New York Times story were unaware of how common the phenomenon is. When TechCrunch followed up with the L.A. District Attorney for comment, the office’s chief prosecutor confirmed “it has ‘no cases’ of juice-jacking on its books, though it said there are known cases on the East Coast. When asked where those cases were, the spokesperson did not know. And when asked what prompted the alert to begin with, the spokesperson said it was part of “an ongoing fraud education campaign.”

usb charging port airport
Smolaw11/Getty Images

However widespread juice-jacking may be, the good news is that it’s easy to defend against. Never use a public USB charging station, but rely instead on AC power outlets. For smartphone users, that just means carrying a standard AC power “cube” to act as an intermediary between their USB cable and any USB outlet. “USB condoms” (we swear, that’s a real thing) that disable the data pins on a standard USB data cable are also available for less than $5. A backup battery is another great alternative: Charge the battery at any AC or USB power outlet, then charge your phone via the battery.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Here’s why a desert safari in Dubai should be on your travel bucket list
An experience unique to the Middle East
Dubai Safari

From luxurious shopping malls to modern architecture, Dubai has much to see and explore for travelers. Attracting over 16 million international tourists annually, Dubai is known worldwide as a hub for business, culture, and unmatched luxury. Yet, before the city we know today was built, Dubai was nothing more than miles and miles of desert sand. A simple online image search will show you dozens of before and after photos that will completely blow your mind.

Located just an hour from the city, the desert remains and is ready to be explored by visitors interested to see what the desert is really like. While most of your trip's itinerary will encompass city sightseeing, such as visiting the Burj Khalifa, visiting the desert is a refreshing and authentic experience you can't miss on a trip to Dubai. Here's why a desert safari in Dubai is worth adding to your travel bucket list.
Desert Safari Dubai ride

Read more
3 duct tape camping hacks: Why it should always be in your hiking or camping kit
Stick to duct tape while camping — here's how
Closeup of two friends setting up a tent in the woods.

One of the most useful scenarios for duct tape is out in the wilderness, but it can be tricky to figure out how to store it. One of my go-to ways is to simply wrap several feet of duct tape around an old credit card or a sturdy piece of cardboard. I've also seen people wrap duct tape around their water bottles, but that's never appealed to me since it can be a bit of a mess to clean. Regardless of how you do it, taking some duct tape with you might just make or break your next camping or hiking trip. Here's how.
3 uses for duct tape while out in the wilderness

Patch repairs with duct tape
Sleeping pads pop and nylon tears. We've all been there, and duct tape can save the day! It's great to have duct tape on hand to patch a hole or close a gap in my tent. If you happen to accidentally tear your sleeping bag, a patch of duct tape will get you through it. Reinforce broken straps, seams, zippers, or even sole separation in your shoes and you'll make it home all right.
Duct tape in first aid
When thinking about duct tape, first aid might not always come to mind. However, duct tape is great in a jiffy for splint support if you or someone in your party ends up breaking or spraining something. With a piece of clean cloth or gauze, you can create a makeshift bandage in an emergency. You can also use a small square as blister protection if your shoes start rubbing your feet raw.
Using duct tape as an organization tool
While masking tape might work a bit better in this case, duct tape can still be used to label and tag gear or mark items. That said, nothing is better than duct tape if you want to seal an open liquid container. Duct tape can also be used to keep loose cords, tent poles, or stakes bundled together in a pinch.

Read more
Travel tips: This is why your feet swell after flying (and how to prevent it)
It's annoying, but is it a problem?
Close-up of young man waiting for the plane at an airport

While traveling by plane is convenient, it doesn't come without its own challenges. I know from experience that economy seats on planes can leave you locked in place (literally) with little to no room to move around. Couple this with connecting or layover flights or long flights, and I've had extended periods of travel where I've hardly been able to move my legs at all! If you've noticed your feet swelling after flying -- don't panic yet.

Foot and leg swelling during travel is uncomfortable and annoying, yet quite common. But is it cause for concern or simply an annoyance? Understanding why swelling occurs during travel and what to do about it is essential to prevent circulation problems. Below, we'll dive into what you need to know about dealing with your feet swelling after flying and tips to help you prevent this uncomfortable sensation next time you fly.
What causes swelling after travel?

Read more