FBI Warns Against Using Public USB Ports Due to Malware Risk

[Sodium Chloride]

>>The FBI also warns against using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions

What if you use VPN? Is it save to use VPN while accessing your bank account over public Wi-Fi?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

>>The FBI also warns against using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions

What if you use VPN? Is it save to use VPN while accessing your bank account over public Wi-Fi?

It *should* be... A VPN is only as secure as the method they use to encrypt your data. A VPN 'hides' your data in a mishmash of gorp going from one point to another, to emerge out of the other end unencrypted and then potentially discoverable. Using wifi though, all the data going into the VPN, and coming out wouldn't be discoverable, unless you have other things running on that system that allows someone to see what you are doing. It's only the 'transport' that is encrypted. Basically speaking...

 

[fromgophonetoiphone]

Well, airplanes for obvious reasons don't have standard wall plugs, only USB ports, and those are just as susceptible to attacks. Whether it is practical, however, is another matter.

Mainline jets do. I fly UA and DL all the time and they absolutely have plugs.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Mainline jets do. I fly UA and DL all the time and they absolutely have plugs.

And often have a frankenstein looking receptacle that takes both 'us', and I believe 'uk' style plugs. Weird looking, but *usually* works. (I've been on a few flights were they have announced that the 'in-seat power has been disabled'. Once the crew announced that it was only on one side and suggested making friends with people across the aisle if they needed power to charge something. Hah!!)

 

[boyarka]

Let's call this FBI derangement syndrome (FDS) since you chose to make this political even though it really did not have to be.

We all know that the FBI has never in its history abused its powers, never gathered kompromat on political leaders, never engaged in political meddling, never spied on its citizens without due cause or process, definitely prosecuted the real criminals may they be higher-ups in power who violated US laws or just rich men who abused children with a huge supporting structure behind them as well as had trustworthy and totally impartial leadership... so all in all any hints to the contrary surely belong with the tinfoil hat wearing loony crowd. This is especyally true since we know what great strides the agency too to make sure any and all phones are well-kept castles of privacy, even beyond the reach of such powerful agencies as the FBI.

 

[ackmondual]

I feel like this is something that's been known in tech circles for years..

I've been trying to explain this to my customers, family, and friends for years now..

Maybe they'll actually pay attention to this?

Probably not, but it can't hurt.

It has been, but the reinforcement helps. Not unlike reminding people that those who work at or with organization 'x' will never ask for your password, credit card info, nor sensitive information, or don't click on suspicous links in emails.

 

[jtdx99]

Solution is to bring your own power bank, which are readily available and cheap.

 

[grayskyz]

This elderly lady I stayed with when I was in Denmark in 2003 told me if I found a sim card anywhere, not to put it in my phone. Only buy them from the big retail handy shops. She was around 72 years old. That was in 2003. She could have been a top rank FBI official considering how long it took the FBI to figure that out.

 

[_Spinn_]

There are dongles for this. Maybe don't buy the cheapest one, lol.

Here's an example (not an endorsement):

PortaPow USB Data Blocker (2 Pack) - Protect Against Juice Jacking

PortaPow USB Data Blocker

www.amazon.com

Was going to suggest something like this.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Isn't the whole point of the trusted devices popup so that they can't do this?