TSA warns about the dangers of public USB: how to protect your smartphone.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) urged passengers to avoid directly connecting smartphones and other devices to public USB ports. According to the agency, hackers can install malware through such ports, so it is safer to use your own adapter or portable charger.

This is reported by iTechua.

What to do in such cases

"Hackers can install malicious software through USB ports. Therefore, when at the airport, do not connect your phone directly. Use your own adapter or portable charger," the TSA emphasizes in its official statement.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also advises charging devices from regular AC outlets using personal charging blocks and cables.

If connecting to a USB port is unavoidable, experts recommend closely monitoring the pop-up windows on your smartphone screen. If a prompt like "Trust this computer?" or "Data exchange" appears, you should select the "Charging only" mode. Experts also warn against using free public Wi-Fi networks.

"Do not use free public Wi-Fi, especially if you plan to make online purchases. Never enter sensitive information while connected to unsecured networks," the TSA warns.

Recall that phishing is one of the most common forms of online fraud, although many people still do not know why the word is spelled that way. It originated in the 1980s among phone hackers who replaced the usual "f" with "ph" like in "phreaking."

We also wrote that the film industry actively exploits the theme of hacking, creating impressive but not always truthful images. On-screen hackers are often exaggerated or romanticized, affecting the perception of cybercrimes in culture.

The popular American transportation agency TSA urges passengers to avoid connecting their devices to public USB ports due to the possibility of malware installation. It is recommended to use personal adapters or portable chargers for safe charging of gadgets. Additionally, experts advise against using free public Wi-Fi networks and to pay attention to warning messages on the smartphone screen when connecting to USB ports.