Public Charging Stations: Bad for Our Device

Public Charging Stations: Bad for Our Device's Health?

Public Charging Stations: Bad for Our Device's Health?We’re under attack! USB-linked public charging stations can infect our devices and steal our precious data in under a minute.

Many of us would feel lost without them. In fact, we are so dependent on our mobile devices that we check them every six and a half minutes, according to a study commissioned by Nokia. As devices advance, we’re carrying more information and data on us, making each of us a more efficient road warrior but also more exposed to threat.

Fast forward to the next time you’re running between meetings when you get that devastating alert that your phone is about to die. You frantically look for your charger only to realize that there’s no outlet in sight, and you’re already five minutes late for a customer call. It’s enough to make you want to scream. We’ve all been there, and we’ll be there again.

At first thought, the conveniently located public power station in the airport, shopping mall or around the corner may look like your saving grace.  But, you may pay for it in the end.

Jacking Your Juice

Plugging your cellphone into a USB power kiosk grants the kiosk access to download your data – contacts, email attachments, photos, etc. The kiosk may also be configured to install malware onto your device. What’s worse? Any mobile device is vulnerable, and malware programs usually take under a minute to run. The kiosks can read and write data from your device, even if you have the USB data transfer mode disabled.

This becomes an even bigger problem when dealing with sensitive corporate information. The more data that employees are able to access on their smartphone or tablet means more information that’s susceptible to being hacked. Think about the resources that people have access to from their phones. Employees today are carrying the “keys to the castle” on their devices, and if just one plugs into a public charging station, the whole company could be compromised.

As this problem becomes more prevalent, media outlets are starting to build awareness about the dangers. They recommend that you bring your regular charging cable with you when you travel and plug that into plain electrical outlets, or invest in spare batteries for your device – anything you can do to avoid charging stations in public areas.

Don’t Panic

Fear not! We can stop silently cursing our drained devices. There are portable power solutions available that don’t require an electrical outlet and won’t force you to replace your iPhone, Android or tablet battery.

Everybody, every day is concerned about how much power their smart phones and tablets have left and where and when they will be able to recharge.

I want people to know that it’s time to be mindful of what we’re actually carrying with us on our devices. When it comes to charging, we need to keep it close to the vest (or in this case, right at our finger tips). Portable power accessories are out there – the trick is finding one that’s right for you so you can keep your personal data protected, and all your mobile devices powered up.

About the Author

Corey Lieblein is the founder and CEO of Innovative Technology.

Featured

  • Data Driven, Proactive Response

    As cities face rising demands for smarter policing and faster emergency response, Real Time Crime Centers (RTCCs) are emerging as essential hubs for data-driven public safety. In this interview, two experts with deep field experience — Ross Bourgeois of New Orleans and Dean Cunningham of Axis Communications — draw on decades of operational, leadership and technology expertise to share how RTCCs are transforming public safety through innovation, interagency collaboration and a relentless focus on community impact. Read Now

  • Integration Imagination: The Future of Connected Operations

    Security teams that collaborate cross-functionally and apply imagination and creativity to envision and design their ideal integrated ecosystem will have the biggest upside to corporate security and operational benefits. Read Now

  • Smarter Access Starts with Flexibility

    Today’s workplaces are undergoing a rapid evolution, driven by hybrid work models, emerging smart technologies, and flexible work schedules. To keep pace with growing workplace demands, buildings are becoming more dynamic – capable of adapting to how people move, work, and interact in real-time. Read Now

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.