Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 3: Cyber thieves are on the prowl. People using mobile phones should be careful when charging their phones in shopping malls, cinema theatres, bus stand, railway stations, airport etc. One has to avoid charging the mobiles if a USB charger is already present there because cyber thieves are readily waiting to steal mobile phone information. Cyber expert B B Phaneendra warns against the possibility of stealing net banking information and siphoning funds from bank accounts with this method.

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A malware software known as juice jacking can steal photos, video, personal data, contact etc from phones of others. Even information about Google Pay, PhonePe and other banking apps can be stolen by the thieves. Hackers may also read passwords and other important data and export them and even lock them with gadgets. People having heavy balances in bank accounts are sure to lose their money if they are not careful.

Phaneendra advises people gainst charging mobile phones in public places, and in unavoidable circumstances, to be careful. Avoid charging if there is a USB cable and before charging, check whether the phone is locked. Outside, it is best to use your own mobile chargers, power banks etc. Avoid clicking on anonymous messages, not to press update link repeatedly on Android phones, and update only through setting app. Do not use free wifi too much, even if used, never use bank and wallet payment apps. 

In Bengaluru alone, over a hundred juice jacking cases were filed during the last two years. However, charing by using a cable of power connection is deemed safe.