Public Phone Chargers New Hacking Hubs

Cyber cops in a tizzy as criminals target USB ports inside Delhi airport and posh markets to steal bank, other sensitive details

- Chayyanika Nigam

Amit Kumar Mishra was in Central Delhi’s Connaught Place for a reunion when his iPhone vibrated in his jeans pocket. It wasn’t a text. A ‘low battery’ caution had popped up on the screen. The 39-year-old plugged into a nearby free USB power charging station.

The party was to be spoilt soon. “I received a message that Rs 50,000 has been debited from my bank account, though I had not made any such transaction,” he said.

Fashion designing student Sushmita Purohit, who often visits South Delhi’s Khan Market, was also shocked when objectionable content had been posted on her social media pages — without her knowledge.

Both approached the Delhi Police’s anti-cyber crime cell that suspects when they used public cords, their phones were hacked.

They are two of the many victims of a rising criminal phenomena known as juice jacking, said police sources. “As these ports aren’t monitored, they can be easily tampered with. Inside that tempting cord is an extra chip that deploys hidden malware on your phone to download information without your knowledge. One must be aware that these cords are also designed to transfer data, not just power,” said an official.

Scammers are doing this mainly at the airport and shopping hotspots such as Connaught Place and Khan Market or tourist destinations to steal bank details and other sensitive information, for blackmailing, said police sources.