[where's_the_Outrage?]

I use AVG VPN which should provide security for free wifi, at least I thought so.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Hmm...

[Pontiac]

The post revealed that "Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we’ve been told that’s called 'juice/port jacking')." TSA continues, "So, when you’re at an airport, do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there."

This has been going on for at least a decade.

Of course it bears repeating. There are new people traveling for the frist time every day.

Use a VPN on any public wi-fi connection. Or use your phone carrier network.

[mabarker1]

It’s really simple. DO NOT GO TO ANY AIRPORT !!! DRIVE OR USE VIDEO CALLS FOR BUSINESS.

[MayflowerMadam]

“Don’t use free public WiFi, especially if you’re planning to make any online purchases. Do not ever enter any sensitive info while using unsecure WiFi.”

Well duh.

[BitWielder1]

I never use public USB ports, only my little USB charger cube. It's my "condom".
I never use public WiFi for anything confidential either.

[bak3r]

I’m surprised they are just talking about this. I have been warning clients for at least a decade about this. We even check our clients USB power bricks. We have found some 3rd party bricks customers obtained though places like Amazon that have had various exploits built into them.

[UnwashedPeasant]

”The TSA has begun using a real-time photo of passengers' faces to confirm their identity”

They wanted to scan my face in the security line. I told them I wanted to opt out, and then the TSA agent merely looked at my drivers license the usual way. It was no big deal to opt out, and it did not slow down the security line at all.

[nuconvert]

This is the 1st I’ve heard that you shouldn’t use public charging stations. Thanks for posting.

[AndyJackson]

This just demonstrates the utter IT incompetence of the Federal government that these threats even exist. But that is the produce of a domestic surveillance industry that regard keeping track of its citizens as more important than information security which is apparently far more important than security $1T per annum in IP from the Chinese.

It would be a simple matter for the TSA to ensure that charging ports only provide power and that WIFI is secure, requiring it to be provided by known vendors who would be bankrupted, fined and jailed for not maintaining infosec.

But that would interfere with a whole bunch of corrupt good ol boys and gals getting contract to provide services that they are not competent to provide in return for kickbacks to the poor petty corrupt officials running this stuff.

Greasing skids is more important that protecting the Republic.

[logi_cal869]

Old news, but I concede the ‘true pandemic’ has its willing victims.

Who doesn’t carry a ‘wall wart’ among their cables? C’mon, man: They’re only 1” square.

[maddog55]

Imagine traveling without a cell phone, laptop or IPAD glued to your ass....

I miss the days when phones were attached to a wall, an Atlas was your travel guide and you got your news from newspapers and one of 3 networks that actually reported real factual news.

[Mean Daddy]

You can get USB adapters that only allow power to flow through, no data.

[JimRed]

Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there."

The word "compliant" in the same sentence as the 3-letter code for any dot gov agency (TSA in this case) raises concern. Even with our guys in charge, do we trust them?

[ktw]

The fix is easy. Just have a USB cable that uses ONLY the two wires that are POWER. Do not have ANY connection to the two DATA wires!

[Wuli]

Bring your own powerpack, and stay out of financial apps of any kind when using public Wifi.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

There is a market for an adapter that transmits the power but blocks data transmission.