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Fear of this threat may be the thing keeping it from being a big deal. If nobody cared to protect against it was commonplace to use public USB ports to charge y

Fear of this threat may be the thing keeping it from being a big deal. If nobody cared to protect against it was commonplace to use public USB ports to charge your phone, it would be much more attractive for attackers. On the other hand, just not using public USB outlets or keeping a charge-only cable in your bag are pretty cheap countermeasures. Most people charge their phone while they're sleeping so the AC adapter or special cable can stay in their bedroom/luggage/hotel room. It's really not a big deal.

Fatnino 4y ago
Why would anyone want to use a grungy, slow charging public usb port and be stuck in some place for however long it takes to get frustrated that it isn't filling your phone fast enough? Get a power bank. They are cheap and even the large ones weigh no more than a pound. They have enough juice to get any phone through a day or 2 of use. You bring it with you everywhere and you never have to think about the battery level in your phone. Notice it's low (single digit percent battery) while out and about, plug in the powerbank and carry on being out and about. The idea that I would use a public charger attached to a garbage can that I would then need to sit next to for an hour is crazy.
- ElevenLathe 4y ago
  I've only ever seen them in airports (where people frequently sit for an hour or more between flights) or in hotel rooms. I've never seen one on a trash can or somewhere that you wouldn't already be waiting for something. A few years back there was a startup that had kiosks in grocery stores to charge while you shopped (locked into a little cubby hole), but those seem to have disappeared too.
- codyb 4y ago
  Plenty of homeless people, tourists, people who’ve just been out too long on a single charge and need 5 minutes of juice to get them to their next destination, delivery workers. It’s a nice thing to make cities friendlier, along with things like free wifi, water fountains, benches, and restrooms.
- CaptainZapp 4y ago
  I find USB ports in plane seats very convenient. You're anyway stuck in your seat and chances are good that you're low on juice during a day of traveling. Same goes for trains. Alas, they usually have power outlets. Given that my boarding passes, train tickets and other vital information is on my phone having power is essential. As a light traveller I don't want to schlepp an additional gadget. To each his own, I suppose.
lozenge 4y ago
You need the victim to press "trust this computer" or similar on their phone display, unless you have a zero day vulnerability up your sleeve. If you let the phone display the prompt, you might infect a couple people but somebody will soon tell the shop staff, or even the police. If you have a zero day then you are probably targeting some particular people, let's say diplomats, protestors or attendees of an important international conference. The chances of the average person being a victim of these attacks because they charged their phone at a cafe are negligible.
hot_gril 4y ago
> If nobody cared to protect against it was commonplace to use public USB ports to charge your phone Many airports, planes, and other public areas have these USB charging ports. Either people are using them, or a lot of money is being spent for no reason.

Fatnino 4y ago

Why would anyone want to use a grungy, slow charging public usb port and be stuck in some place for however long it takes to get frustrated that it isn't filling your phone fast enough? Get a power bank. They are cheap and even the large ones weigh no more than a pound. They have enough juice to get any phone through a day or 2 of use. You bring it with you everywhere and you never have to think about the battery level in your phone. Notice it's low (single digit percent battery) while out and about, plug in the powerbank and carry on being out and about. The idea that I would use a public charger attached to a garbage can that I would then need to sit next to for an hour is crazy.

ElevenLathe 4y ago
I've only ever seen them in airports (where people frequently sit for an hour or more between flights) or in hotel rooms. I've never seen one on a trash can or somewhere that you wouldn't already be waiting for something. A few years back there was a startup that had kiosks in grocery stores to charge while you shopped (locked into a little cubby hole), but those seem to have disappeared too.
codyb 4y ago
Plenty of homeless people, tourists, people who’ve just been out too long on a single charge and need 5 minutes of juice to get them to their next destination, delivery workers. It’s a nice thing to make cities friendlier, along with things like free wifi, water fountains, benches, and restrooms.
CaptainZapp 4y ago
I find USB ports in plane seats very convenient. You're anyway stuck in your seat and chances are good that you're low on juice during a day of traveling. Same goes for trains. Alas, they usually have power outlets. Given that my boarding passes, train tickets and other vital information is on my phone having power is essential. As a light traveller I don't want to schlepp an additional gadget. To each his own, I suppose.

lozenge 4y ago

You need the victim to press "trust this computer" or similar on their phone display, unless you have a zero day vulnerability up your sleeve. If you let the phone display the prompt, you might infect a couple people but somebody will soon tell the shop staff, or even the police. If you have a zero day then you are probably targeting some particular people, let's say diplomats, protestors or attendees of an important international conference. The chances of the average person being a victim of these attacks because they charged their phone at a cafe are negligible.

hot_gril 4y ago

> If nobody cared to protect against it was commonplace to use public USB ports to charge your phone Many airports, planes, and other public areas have these USB charging ports. Either people are using them, or a lot of money is being spent for no reason.