What Is “Juice Jacking” & How to Avoid It
Last Updated on October 27, 2025
You like to travel light–no bulky wall wart for you–and besides, why search for an out-of-the-way wall outlet in public spaces when charging kiosks seem to proliferate in almost every public space. Even hotel rooms are sporting more charging docks than outlets.
The challenge is that the same cable that charges your device also transfers your data. By plugging into a compromised public power dock, you run the risk of falling prey to juice jacking, ie, having your data stolen by bad actors. Photos, contacts, emails, texts can be transmitted right through your USB cord and into the kiosk or dock. This connection can also upload malware onto your device.
What Can You Do to Not Get Juice Jacked?
The good news is that you can easily charge your devices on the go without relying on sketchy kiosks and docks. The 3 easiest ways are to:
- Use your charging adapter (AKA “block,” “wall wart”) to charge your phone with an electrical outlet.
- Use a portable charger. I love-love-love my portable charger, but–like many products with lithium-ion batteries–it was just recalled over a safety issue (spontaneous combustion). So proceed with caution when opting for this route.
- Use a data blocker that prevents data from flowing while the device is charging. Data blockers have the charging pins but lack data pins, so only electricity will pass between your phone and the kiosk or dock. Simply plug the data blocker into the charging kiosk or dock, then plug your cable into it. (One good inexpensive option is the PortaPow Data Blocker.)