There are three things I make sure to do when I’m on the go.
- I’m looking for the best coffee possible.
- I make sure to use a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
- And I protect myself with a USB data blocker, also known as usb condomevery time I use a third-party charger (like the ones you find in cafes).
Well, first of all, what is a USB condom?
A USB condom is a small dongle that adds a layer of protection between your device and the charging point you connect it to.
Remember that USB is not just a charging protocol, it also allows data to flow in both directions, and although most of the time this data flow is safe, it is possible to create a port malicious loader that can do bad things like inject malware into your device or steal your data.
And it’s not just chargers. It is possible to make cables capable of performing all sorts of malicious activities.
All devices shown below can be used to harm devices.
O.MG cables and dongles can be used to attack unsuspecting devices. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
And don’t think you can look at those cables and spot the hacking magic inside – you can’t! They are so easy to confuse with other cables that I keep the little orange tag on them to prevent them from getting mixed up with my regular cables.
These “attack cables” are indistinguishable from standard cables, so much so that I have to mark them with an orange label. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
But back to the USB condom data blockers.
Sold by PortaPow, they are a super simple and cheap solution to the potential problem of using unreliable USB charging devices. Just plug it into a port and any potential data transfer between the charger and your device is interrupted, creating an air gap between the USB port and your smartphone, laptop or other device you’re charging.
There are data blockers for USB-A to USB-A, USB-A to USB-C, and USB-C to USB-C ports.
For the super-paranoid, there are also transparent data blockers, the idea being that you can tell if they’ve been tampered with in any way.
Transparent data blocker — perfect for those who are super-paranoid (or just super-cautious!) Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The role of the USB condom is simple: it turns any USB port into a charging port only by blocking all data lines. Sure, you could make one yourself out of a USB cable (by cutting it out and cutting the data cables), but since these bespoke data blockers only cost a few bucks, the game isn’t. really not worth the candle.
It should be kept in mind that while a data blocker may prevent data transfer, the port may still be able to damage a device. For example, devices such as USB Kill can “kill” devices connected to it by sending a high voltage through the USB port, thereby frying delicate electronic components…
Vicious, right?
Data blockers cannot protect against USB Kill attacks; Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
If you need to use a charger, cable or charging port that is not under your control, it is a good idea to use a USB condom. If you want extra protection, bring your own charger or power bank (or a charger that’s also a power bank and use your own cables.
Source: “ZDNet.com”