While there is little you can do to prevent your data from being released by large-scale hacks of personal data like the Equifax breach, you can reduce your risk of power-connection hacking. Geni, CC BY-SAĬriminals run these scams from the other side of the world, making them hard to track down and bring to justice.
Prevent problems by not plugging inĪs someone who researches and teaches courses related to cybersecurity, I follow numerous reports of scam websites, all manner of fraudulent callers and electronically distributed viruses – all trying to steal personal information.Īlleged overseas hackers, like Lauri Love, who is accused of hacking the U.S. In short, they may be much more attractive targets to hackers. Hacked laptops can also serve as a method to get viruses and other malware into sensitive business or government facilities, bypassing firewalls, intrusion detection systems and other network security mechanisms. Some laptop users may not have these files backed up to other locations, which makes them vulnerable to deletion or even encryption for a ransom payment. In any case, people with laptops powered by USB-C and those who connect to USB-C screens and projectors in public areas need to be vigilant.Ĭompared to a mobile phone, laptops may contain far more data. With the European Union potentially requiring phone makers to standardize on USB-C chargers to reduce waste and provide consumer flexibility, similar rules for laptops may not be far behind. By using a data interface for charging, chargers can be used to attack the laptop. Some laptops have only USB-C ports, which are used to power and charge the laptop and for data communications. However, it also allows criminals to attack the computer of an unsuspecting user who is just trying to charge the device’s battery. Most of the time, this is extremely convenient, reducing the number of different ports needed on today’s lightweight and compact laptops. USB-C changed this, with one high-speed port now able to provide and receive power, send video signals to projectors and monitors, and connect to USB thumb drives and numerous other peripheral devices. Other purpose-specific ports allowed connections to desktop monitors, conference room projectors and other devices, without need for concern. Until recently, laptop computers had enjoyed some protection, with most having a dedicated power port to connect their chargers to.
Laptops can now be attacked by USB power ports For those with combined data and power ports, however, the same port that many people only use to power their phone is commonly used by hackers and even law enforcement to access the data on it. Users of these devices can plug in to public multi-device charging stations without worry, as there is no connection to the device’s data. Older mobile phones, including some smartphones, that used power-only connections didn’t have to worry about this issue. This has led some researchers to recommend never using public USB chargers for your smartphone. A charger could be modified to attack your phone via that trusted connection. Many newer phones use the same port – one of several types of USB – for both connecting to a computer and charging. But some attackers are finding a weakness in phone charging.
0 kommentar(er)
