Showing posts with label FBI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FBI. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

FBI Warns Against Using Public USB Charging Stations

Did you use free USB charging ports when you are out in public?

Your phone may be at risk.

Here's why.

The concern in that cables and USB ports can be modified to introduce malware into phones that connect to the charging port.

The FBI's Denver office issued this specific warning to the public to avoid using free charging stations that are commonly found in public spaces such as airports, hotels or shopping centers.

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Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.

FBI Charger Warning

So what can you do to prevent this?
  • Keep your phone charged before you leave your home.
  • Bring your own USB charging cables and plug your phone directly into standard electrical outlets to charge it.  
  • You can also use your own mobile battery charger to recharge your phone between charging using secure electrical outlets.
Criminals are always looking for ways to commit fraud.

Stay informed and aware.


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Sunday, July 30, 2017

FBI Warns Parents About Internet Connected Toys

FBI logo
Beware of the toys.  They may be watching, listening and sharing.

That's the warning to parents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about internet connected toys.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recently issued a statement to parents "to consider cyber security prior to introducing smart, interactive, internet-connected toys into their homes or trusted environments."

The concern is that the toys could pose identity theft and exploitation threats due to microphones, cameras and geo-location data that is improperly used, shared or stored.  

The full notice is worth reading but here are a few points:

  • Only connect and use toys with trusted and secure Wi-Fin internet access.
  • Closely monitor children’s activity with the toys (such as conversations and voice recordings) through the toy’s partner parent application, if such features are available
  • Ensure the toy is turned off, particularly those with microphones and cameras, when not in use
  • Use strong and unique login passwords when creating user accounts (e.g., lower and upper case letters, numbers, and special characters)
  • Carefully read disclosures and privacy policies


Should we be concerned?  Maybe to Probably.  It can happen.

Nearly two years, we warned readers about the problem caused by one company.  

In that case, Vtech a major tech toy company, poorly stored sensitive children data on the web.

So the best thing we can do is to be cautious and knowledgeable.

Source: FBI