Juice Jacking is a type of cyber attack that consists of infecting a public charging station or cable with malware that can steal data from connected mobile devices.

What is juice jacking?

Juice Jacking is a cyberattack that exploits public USB charging ports or cables to install malware on mobile devices or extract data without the user's knowledge. While the user believes they are simply charging their phone, malicious software may be silently transferred, or sensitive information may be stolen. The attack can occur through a tampered charging cable, public charging station, or even a USB port in a hotel, airport, or shopping mall.

Real-world examples of juice jacking

Examples of real-world scenarios:

• Connecting a phone to a USB port in an airport lounge, resulting in the theft of contacts or email data.
• Using a promotional USB cable given out at a conference—equipped with built-in malware.
• Charging a company device in a hotel room using a compromised USB adapter.
• An employee unknowingly connects a company phone to a public USB socket in a café, granting an attacker remote access.

Summary:
Juice Jacking is a subtle but powerful method of exploiting physical access to a device. In corporate environments handling sensitive data, even one compromised phone can have serious consequences.

How is juice jacking different from related terms?

• Juice Jacking – A physical attack via USB power that transfers malware or extracts data.
• Malware – A broader category of malicious software, which Juice Jacking may deliver.
• Phishing – A social engineering attack via email or web, not involving physical connections.

Explanation:
Juice Jacking is unique in that it requires no user interaction like clicking a link or opening an attachment. The mere act of plugging into an untrusted USB port can be enough—many people don’t realize this poses a risk at all.

How to address juice jacking?

Prevention steps:

1. Prohibit charging company devices via public USB ports.
2. Distribute USB data blockers ("USB condoms") that allow only power, not data transfer.
3. Educate employees about risks and safe practices while traveling.
4. Audit devices regularly if they’ve been used outside secure environments.
5. Consider MDM (Mobile Device Management) tools to monitor and control mobile usage.

Why it matters:
Organizations often underestimate the physical risks of mobile device use. Yet mobility is one of the weakest links in data protection. One charge from a compromised port can lead to data leaks, network infection, or reputational damage. Prevention is low-cost and simple—awareness is the foundation.