Recently, the FCC and the FBI issued two different advisories to warn users about two different cyberattacks that could enable attackers to pilfer sensitive information. One of these advisories focuses on the Juice Jacking attack, while the other warns about impersonation attacks that specifically target Chinese individuals residing in the U.S. These advisories serve as vital alerts to raise awareness about the evolving threat landscape and the need for heightened cybersecurity measures.
FCC’s advisory on Juice Jacking
The advisory warned that cybercriminals are making use of publicly available USB charging stations to introduce malware into users' devices.
- Called Juice Jacking, the attack is carried out by installing malware directly into the USB charging stations that are available in the airport, hotels, or shopping centers. In some cases, criminals may have intentionally left cables plugged in at charging stations to trap unsuspecting users.
- Additionally, the FCC found that there have been reports of infected USB cables being given away as promotional gifts.
- Malware installed via these corrupted USB ports can either lock a device or export personal information directly to the attackers.
FBI’s advisory on impersonation attack
The warning revealed that cybercriminals are posing as members of Chinese law enforcement agencies or prosecutors from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to defraud Chinese users in the U.S.
- The FBI highlighted that the scammers are creating a sense of fear and urgency as they threaten users by showing a fake arrest warrant.
- As a result, the targeted victims are tricked into handing over their personal details.
Conclusion
The FCC highlights that the Juice jacking threat can be avoided by carrying your own charger and USB cord. It is also advisable to use an electrical outlet instead of USB charging ports to stay safe. Likewise, the FBI has advised users to be cautious when sending money or sharing personal information over the phone to strangers, who contact on behalf of the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.
Publisher
/https://cyware-ent.s3.amazonaws.com/image_bank/11d4_shutterstock_2035961720.jpg)
/https://cyware-ent.s3.amazonaws.com/image_bank/5ecb_shutterstock_2162189945.jpg)
