This is why it’s crucial to charge your phone properly, especially when you’re away from home.


My news feed is quite eclectic. Alongside articles about aquarium heaters, the impact of Saharan dust on Florida’s ecosystems, and the perils of DIY front-end alignment (trust me, just don’t), I stumbled upon another TSA alert regarding juice jacking at airports.

Juice jacking is even more sinister than it sounds. It involves someone embedding a computer within a USB charging station that attempts to transfer malware to any device plugged in for a charge. We’ve all encountered those charging kiosks, and they provide ample opportunity for someone to sneak in a Raspberry Pi to distribute software you’d definitely prefer to avoid.

The TSA advises against plugging smart devices directly into those kiosks. Whether they have undisclosed intel or just wanted to issue a reminder is unclear, but with that warning in mind, let’s explore how to safely recharge your gadgets on the move.

Charging the Razr Ultra 2025

(Image credit: Derrek Lee / Android Central)

There are several ways to ensure you don’t create an easy access point for malware via your USB port. One method is to carry a battery pack; simply plug it into the public USB charger, then connect your phone (or any device) to the battery. Both will charge simultaneously.