'Juice Jacking' threatens to compromise your cell phone

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — On the road for the holidays?

If you're one of the more than 100 million Americans who are traveling, beware. There's a hidden threat that could be waiting in public USB charging stations.

There's no doubt traveling with a dead cell phone is a drag, but it might be better than the alternative.

"The term that has just...been made up and put together for this is called 'juice jacking,'" said Pedro Herrer, owner of several Central Georgia CPR cell phone repair shops.

If you get juice jacked, what's taken -- often times -- is sensitive data stored on your phone.

Herrer says cybercriminals don't need much to infect your device.

"USB outlets are made for power and data delivery and some of these hackers have figured out a way to either upload malware or pull data from you," he said.

The Federal Communications Commission warns that malware is often hidden in public USB charging stations at places where there aren't usually many places to plug in a phone with low battery.

Perry computer repair shop manager David Cline echoes that message.

"This would be in high traffic areas such as airports, malls, stores, public parks even," he said.  "Some colleges...get hit sometimes as well."

Not all USB ports are compromised, but the ones that are have malware installed in them that infects your phone through the charging cable.

The good news? The FCC, Herrer, and Cline all say it's pretty easy to reduce the risk your device gets infected.

Just use the A/C  power block that comes with your USB cord.

"Through the regular outlet you cannot transfer data, you can only transfer power," said Cline.

One other thing to watch out for: cheap USB charging cables. Herrer says they can be more susceptible to malware than the cables that come with your phone.

For more tips from the FCC, you can read their full warning here.

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