Public USB Charging Stations – Safe or Not?

Oftentimes, we use public USB charging stations when we are out of battery and little did we know it is unsafe. Sometimes we risk our private data in exchange of convenience in charging. And the moment we plug the cord to our smartphones, hackers already have an advantage of stealing our data. Public charging stations should have warning signs, because we cannot guarantee safety. It is a matter of choice between safety and convenience.

I would not use a public charging kiosk if I am running low on battery. I’d rather find a socket where I could charge my smartphone with a charging block and cord, in fact, some stores offer that service. Another option is providing wireless charging. With the advancement of technology, almost everything is going wireless from printers to earphones. There is less risk of stealing private data, except when your phone is actually stolen from the charging station.

Furthermore, we should be aware of the risks that we are exposed to. It is important to be responsible and come prepared. Always bring a power bank and know how to budget our battery life.

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