/ Whether it’s a Micro USB, Lightning, USB Type-C, or something else, invariably one side of the charging cable that we use with our phones has a standard USB (sometimes called Type-A) connector. Although it’s easy to think of these cables as just a way to recharge your device, the USB standard was introduced primarily for the purpose of easy data transfer and connectivity between computer peripherals. Keep this in mind when connecting your charging cable to a USB port in an airport or cafe! Hackers have developed proof-of-concept exploits that can steal data or inject malicious software on your phone with malicious USB charging stations. If you frequently need to recharge on the go, protect yourself by using your own AC adapter. Small candy bar sized battery packs are an inexpensive option that could also prove useful in an emergency.

More information about the risks associated with using public charging stations is available at:

http://www.kaspersky.com/about/news/press/2016/Charging-Mobile-Devices-Could-Put-Data-at-Risk