Aqueity's NewsNation Story:
The FBI just released a warning that juice jacking at public charging stations are a cybersecurity threat to the public. Aqueity’s CTO and Head of Cybersecurity, Max Schroeder, was featured on NewsNation’s story discussing this and the increasing importance of public cybersecurity awareness in our digital era. When we’re out in public, we often connect to public Wi-Fi, use Bluetooth to connect our devices, and even charge our devices using public charging stations. But doing so can put us at risk of cyber threats like hacking, identity theft, and malware infections.
Here are Aqueity’s best practices for cybersecurity in public spaces.
1. Avoid Juice Jacking: As discussed in the NewsNation story, Juice jacking is a cyber threat that involves charging your device using a public charging station that’s been infected with malware. When you plug your device into an infected charging station, the malware can infect your device and steal your personal information. To avoid juice jacking, always use your own charging cable and power adapter, and avoid using public charging stations.
2. Avoid Public Wi-Fi Networks Whenever Possible: We know that this is tempting but public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, which means anyone can access the data transmitted over them. Threat actors can easily intercept your personal information, like login credentials, bank account details, and other sensitive information. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for anything that requires personal information or sensitive data, such as online banking or shopping. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider having your IT services company assist you with using a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy.
3. Use Bluetooth with Caution: Bluetooth is a convenient way to connect devices wirelessly, but it’s not always secure. Bluetooth connections can be vulnerable to hacking, so it’s important to turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. If you need to use Bluetooth in public, make sure to enable pairing mode only when necessary, use a strong and unique PIN, and avoid using public Bluetooth devices like headsets or speakers.
4. Use Two-Factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an additional layer of security that requires you to enter a code or answer a security question in addition to your login credentials. Many online services, such as email, social media, and banking apps, offer 2FA to help protect your accounts from unauthorized access. Enabling 2FA can greatly reduce the risk of identity theft and other cyber threats. IT services companies like Aqueity can assist your organization with implementing 2FA in your environment via IT Project Services.
5. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date: Software updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect against known cyber threats. Therefore, it’s important to keep your devices and software up-to-date. Always install the latest updates for your operating system, web browsers, and apps to ensure you’re protected against the latest cyber threats. If your business isn’t already, it needs to adopt a software update and security patch program to keep your organizations assets secured. Aqueity and similar IT services companies can assist if not.
Aqueity’s NewsNation story says it all, cybersecurity in public spaces is an essential aspect of online safety. By following these best practices, you can help protect your personal information and devices from cyber threats like hacking, identity theft, and malware infections.
Reach out to Aqueity’s cybersecurity experts today!