Condom Charger

Yes, 'USB condoms' are real, and they protect your gadgets from ...

www.pcworld.com

The odds say that your phone won’t be hacked by a random USB-C wall charger, either. But, like a seatbelt, here’s why it’s worth investing in this cheap, easy protection device. If you go on vacation or a business trip, chances are you’re going to need a data cable for your phone anyway, and an extra can’t hurt. But a power-only cable is a handy way of securing your phone no matter what out-of-the-way, dodgy hotel or airport you end up in. Some people call these “USB condoms,” usually referring to a dongle that you can buy that blocks data from being transferred over the USB connection. A data-blocking charging cable is like a seatbelt your phone: a cheap, secure alternative to your phone's charging cable that will help protect it from being hacked by a sketchy USB port in a hotel or airport. In the airports in San Francisco (SFO), Kahului (Maui/OGG), and the Hyatt and Sheraton hotels I stayed at, every charger was USB-A, not USB-C. The exception? Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, which included both USB-C and USB-A connections. A USB-A socket might be a more common sight than USB-C. depending on where you visit. ... So did I bring the wrong cables? Maybe. Fortunately, USB-A to USB-C data-blocking cables exist, and PortaPow is a trusted name in that regard. PortaPow’s 3-foot cable is just $6.99, though the company doesn’t state how much power it can handle. In any event, a small data-blocker cable or “cable condom” is cheap, small, secure, inexpensive, and fits easily into a bag or purse — and that red accent certainly helps it to be found when you’re fumbling with a bag in the overhead bin.

Flying this weekend? This $6 USB condom will protect your data ...

www.zdnet.com

I make sure I use a VPN when using public Wi-Fi, and I always make sure I use a USB data blocker, otherwise known as a USB condom, whenever I use a third-party charger (such as those you find in coffee shops). ... A USB condom is a small dongle that adds a layer of protection between your device and the charging point you're attaching it to. So, back to the USB condom data blockers. Sold by PortaPow, these are a super-simple, cheap solution to the problem of using untrusted USB charging devices. Simply plug it into a port, and any and all potential data transfer between the charger and your device is severed, putting an air gap between the USB port and your smartphone, laptop, or whatever you are charging. If you must use a charger, cable, or charging port that isn't under your control, it makes sense to use a USB condom. Better to have USB data protection and not need it, than need it and not be prepared.

What is a USB condom?

www.linkedin.com

Have you ever plugged your phone or laptop into a public USB charger? Like at the airport, the coffee shop, or the library? You might have put your device at risk of getting hacked. That’s because USB ports can do more than charge your device. They can also send and receive data. And some bad guys can use that to steal your stuff or mess with your device. That’s called “juice jacking.” Scary, right? But don’t worry. There’s a simple way to avoid juice jacking. It’s called a USB condom. Yeah, you heard me right. A USB condom is something you plug into your device before you plug in the charging cable. It blocks the data pins on the USB port so that only power can go through. That way, you can use any USB charger without fear of getting hacked. USB condoms are pretty cheap and easy to use. You can buy them online or at some gadget stores for around $7. You don’t need any apps or settings to use them. You need to plug them into your device and your charging cable into the other end of the dongle. Fast charging exploits are a type of cyberattack that uses the data connection between the charger and the device to manipulate the power output and cause damage to the device or the battery. However, some hackers can use this communication channel to send malicious commands to the charger, making it output more power than the device can handle. This can result in overheating, melting, or even exploding the device or the battery. By using a USB condom, you can prevent fast charging exploits by blocking the data connection and only allowing power to go through.

r/mildlyinteresting on Reddit: The usb condom I ordered is packaged ...

www.reddit.com

Posted by u/tillgorekrout - 837 votes and 77 comments Nah. He’ll just get this usb-condom shaped impression in his wallet for all eternity. ... It's an adapter that you plug between the charger and your device. It's role is to only forward power lines and not data lines. You'll be limited to slow charging, but your phone won't be able to be hacked this way. Very low probability of this ever happening and alternative ways to be safe are using power bank instead (charge phone from powerbank, charge powerbank from chargers) or power-only usb cables. ... The device which is a usb condom is packaged like a traditional condom for practicing safe sex. USB "condom" charge your USB device without risking data theft by blocking the data ports. ... Customer sent this thing in a bubble mailer, with no additional protection, asking us to figure something out because the battery keeps disconnecting too often during use ... Needed a USB C to USB C cord but I didn't have one. ... I need a 5A charger for the specs of this battery.

Why Your Phone Charging Cable Needs a USB Condom

www.howtogeek.com

USB condoms ensure you have the same experience with your devices---that you walk away from plugging your phone into an unknown charger without any malware or problems. Related: What Is "Juice Jacking", and Should I Avoid Public Phone Chargers? Modern devices that support fast charging use the data connection to communicate briefly with the charger to negotiate the fast charging speed. If the data connection isn't there, the device falls back to a safe basic charging rate. USB condoms are cheap and easy to throw in your travel bag, so there's no good reason not to have one on hand when you're away from home. The USB condom is an adapter you place between the USB port and the charger side of your USB cable. Inside the adapter plug, the data "pins" are missing. But you're not going to find them hanging on a rack with the regular charging cables and phone chargers in the electronics section of your local big box store, or even at a dedicated tech store like Best Buy. You'll need to order your power-only USB condom online

What Is a USB Condom and Why Should You Get One?

www.makeuseof.com

However, you will be able to charge your device safely if you use a USB condom. This is because disconnected data pins on the USB condom won't let the threat actor access your phone. Carrying a bulky charger in your pocket is not convenient for powering up your device once it has lost its juice. The USB condom is a dongle that you plug into the charger side of your USB cable before connecting it to a USB charging port at a public place. Most public places offer USB charging ports to help people power up their digital devices. But you should not connect your smartphone, laptop, or other device to public USB charging ports. Doing so can make you a victim of juice jacking if you don't use a USB condom. Data pins are responsible for data transmission between devices. As data pins are disconnected in a USB condom, threat actors cannot steal data from your device when you connect your device to an infected USB charging station.