Traveling soon? Think twice about using airport Wi-Fi and charging ports – here’s why

Carles Navarro Parcerisas/Getty Images

The next time you travel through an airport, you should probably be a little leery of using the public Wi-Fi or USB charging ports, according to the TSA.

In a reminder posted on Facebook, the TSA warns that while these freebies are designed to be useful, they can actually be dangerous if a fellow traveler has bad intentions.

Also: How to use public Wi-Fi safely: 5 things to know before you connect

Using a process called juice jacking, someone can install software on these airport charging ports that automatically transmits data — including passwords and other sensitive information —  from your connected device. In some cases, your phone might lock down, preventing you from acting quickly to stop anything. In other cases, you won’t know anything is compromised until it’s too late. 

This isn’t a new danger, as the FBI warned about it two years ago. 

As of 2023, the FCC said it had no confirmed cases of criminal activity through juice jacking but admitted that it was technically possible, so travelers should be on the lookout.

The TSA also warns against using public Wi-Fi. The danger there isn’t the service itself, but who else is connected. If you’re shopping or accessing bank information, someone else on the same network could be using a specialized tool to capture data coming from your device.

How to charge your phone safely at an airport

If you do need to use a public charger, it’s best to use a power-only cable or cable-adapter, which allows only charging and prevents any data transfer between your device and the USB port. You can also use a portable power bank, but be aware that rules are changing about these devices. A USB data blocker or an AC charger plugged into a wall outlet is also an option.

Also: The best power banks you can buy: Expert tested and reviewed

How to safely use Wi-Fi at an airport

There are a few ways to use public Wi-Fi safely. For starters, you can use a VPN on your phone that encrypts your phone’s data. In addition, you should probably avoid making any purchases or accessing any sensitive information like banking. 

Also: The best mobile VPNs: Expert tested and reviewed

Some public Wi-Fi providers require you to enter an email or create an account to access service. If you have to enter an email, use an account that you’ve created just for this purpose — not your main one. If you have to enter a password, create a unique one.

If you need to use a laptop or tablet, it would be safer to use your phone as a hotspot instead of connecting to a public network.

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