A blogger and travel expert spoke about the danger that travelers should avoid charging their phones at the airport, the New York Post reports.
In a 34-second TikTok video, @travelpiratesus.io said the FBI warns against using public charging stations at airports because they may be susceptible to “charging hacks.” The USB charging port can transfer malware to your device and steal your data.
“Don’t connect your phone to these ports or charge it like that. You’ll regret it,” the blogger says in the video.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website explains how cybercriminals can plant malware on public USB charging stations and gain access to your devices while charging.
“They can then use this information to log into your online accounts or sell it to other hackers,” the FCC says on its website.
The vlogger also advised travelers to use their portable batteries and chargers to protect their devices. However, some TikTok users have suggested another way to charge safely without compromising safety.
“You can use electrical outlets with a charger or buy USB cables for power only, which do not have data pins,” “Thanks for the warning,” “Give. Me. A break,” “Too late,” users wrote in comments.