Residents of Bengaluru are being cautioned about a new cyber threat targeting public mobile phone charging stations, as highlighted by cybersecurity experts and the police. Criminals are exploiting USB charging ports in locations such as hotels, railway stations, and restaurants to steal sensitive data, including financial details.

USB ports used in public charging stations pose a significant risk because they are designed for both charging and data transfer, making it easier for hackers to access personal information. Karnataka Police has issued a warning urging citizens to avoid using these public ports and to rely on personal charging cables.

In a report by The New Indian Express, Dr. Harsha, a cybersecurity expert, explained, “Criminals can easily get access to the information in the mobile phones if public USB charging stations are not configured.” He added that public USB ports act as a two-way street, allowing both power supply and data transfer, which opens the door to cyberattacks.

Dr. Harsha further stated, “Usually, people do not care about the security when their phone’s battery is running low. They only care about charging the phone by even compromising their security.”

There are two main methods hackers use to exploit these stations. First, compromised USB ports can infect devices with malware, enabling hackers to access sensitive information like personal files, passwords, and banking details. Second, they may install malicious software to clone phone data and transfer it to another device. Both Android and iOS devices, particularly older models, are highly vulnerable.

Experts recommend the following measures to protect against such cyber threats:

By staying vigilant and adopting these precautions, users can minimize the risk of data theft and ensure their mobile devices remain secure.