Keep Your Devices Cyber Safe

Two flights and one train ride later, you and the other travelers have finally reached the destination for your mission trip. Everyone is eager to talk to their families about their safe arrival — but the long travel day means some devices need to be charged first. You make your way to one of the train station's USB charging centers, but as soon as you plug in your phone, the screen immediately locks, disabling all access to your device.

Public USB charging stations, often found at shopping malls, airports, and other transportation hubs, have turned into a new way for cyber thieves to access personal data and passwords, or to plant harmful malware. This phenomenon, known as "juice jacking," presents a cybersecurity risk that mission travelers can prepare for and avoid.

“This method of hacking includes several tactics that we need to be aware of, especially when traveling for international missions,” said Matt Cohee, manager of information security at Brotherhood Mutual. “Not only should you avoid public USB charging stations, but you should also avoid using any USB cables that are not your own.” 

Malicious USB cables may look exactly like the chargers we use every day, but they are designed for much more than simply charging a device. 

"Keylogger" Cables

A “keylogger” is a kind of spyware that allows hackers to monitor every keystroke made on your device. If you unknowingly plugged into a keylogger USB cable, then accessed your bank account with a username and password, the hacker could see what you type in real-time. 

"OMG" Cables

This type of malicious USB cable creates an easy portal for cyber thieves to access personal information stored on your device. The attacker might not even be in the same room — they can carry out this deception from miles away. If you plug into an “OMG” cable, you might see a pop-up on your device asking for permission to access your photos, contacts, or other personal information. 

The following best practices can help you avoid becoming a victim of “juice jacking” and help keep your personal information safe. 

1. Bring a wall charger (and outlet converter depending on your destination), car charger, and your own USB cables when traveling.
2. Avoid USB charging stations and any USB cables that are not yours. 
3. Consider purchasing a data blocker — a small USB plugin which is intentionally designed with no physical channel for data transfer, yet still allows your device to be charged. (A charge-only cable also works in the same way).
4. Carry a portable charger or external battery.
5. Consider purchasing a fast charger wall plugin to recharge your devices more quickly (available for Apple and Android). 

Protecting your data should be the least of your worries on a mission trip. Be sure to talk with your insurance agent about how Worldwide Liability Coverage and Cyber Liability Coverage can protect you throughout your mission work.

Posted October 2022
The information provided in this article is intended to be helpful, but it does not constitute legal advice and is not a substitute for the advice from a licensed attorney in your area. We strongly encourage you to regularly consult with a local attorney as part of your risk management program.