CyberGlossary

Attacks & Threats

Juice Jacking

Also known as: Power-port attack

Definition

An attack in which a public or malicious USB charging port is used to install malware or exfiltrate data from a phone that plugs in, by abusing the data lines of the USB cable.

Standard USB cables carry both power and data; juice jacking exploits the data pins of a tampered or attacker-controlled charging port (airport, hotel, bus stations, public power banks). When a phone connects, the malicious host can attempt automated data extraction, install malware, or trigger MTP/ADB/PTP access depending on the device's auto-trust posture. Real-world incidence has been debated, but the attack class is real and trivially demonstrable in labs. Defences include using power-only "USB data blockers", carrying personal chargers and cables, charging via a wall adapter rather than unknown ports, disabling USB data when locked, and prompting before allowing host trust.

Examples

  • A modified airport charging kiosk that installs spyware on an unlocked Android plugged in for a quick top-up.
  • A free public power bank with a hidden controller that attempts ADB connection during charging.

Related terms