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How to avoid iPhone ‘juice jacking’

How to avoid iPhone ‘juice jacking’

Public charging stations are prime hacking spots, the FBI says.

Leander Kahney
April 13, 2023

The FBI is warning about using public charging stations like those found in airports to juice up iPhones, iPads and other gear.

“Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices,” the bureau says.

Hacking devices via a charging station is known as “juice jacking,” but we have tips for guarding against it. See the top post.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Use promo code 20CULTOFMAC to save 20% on Momax’s highly rated 100-watt charging station, the one charger to rule them all.
Apple TV+ show The Big Door Prize continues to get good reviews from our recapper Scout Tafoya.
SwitchEasy has a new MagSafe charging stand with a removable battery. Get it for 20% off through April 19.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

6 ways to avoid ‘juice jacking’ at public iPhone charging stations

Charging stations in airports can be used to hack your iPhone. Here are six ways to prevent juice jacking when traveling.

iOS 17 features revealed in sketchy leak

Several iOS 17 enhancements have been outlined in a new leak, including Dynamic Island improvements.

Apple AR glasses might not launch before 2026

The wear-anywhere augmented-reality glasses that so many people are looking forward to remain at least three years away.

^{A message from Momax}

Juice up 4 devices with one powerful charging station

The Momax 100W GaN 4-Port Charging Station is potent, compact and portable, suitable for all your charging needs. Apply the coupon code 20CULTOFMAC to get 20% off its already low price.

It’s sex, lies and despair this week on ‘The Big Door Prize’ [Apple TV+ recap]

The Apple TV+ sci-fi/comedy about a mysterious machine that reveals people's potential reaches deeper into despair and looniness this week.

Apple Card Savings accounts might finally debut next week

After a months-long wait, the next financial service from Apple might be right around the corner.

Get up to 80% off Apple accessories while you can

Amazon bargain site Woot! is selling a slew of Apple accessories for AirTag, Apple Watch, iPhone and more at steep discounts through May 1.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Store}

MagSafe Power Bank also serves as sleek iPhone stand

SwitchEasy's Portal power bank pops right out of the sleek stand for mobile use with iPhone, or you can stick both back on the stand.

How to get the latest HomePod software update

HomePod Software 16.4.1 is out. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the latest software version.

Today in Apple history: Early iPad rumor gets Apple fans buzzing

On April 13, 2005, the tech world got excited when a sketchy rumor suggested Apple was building a tablet computer.

Tweetz o’ the day

Damn. This whole time it was just merch.
— gustaf (@gustafengstrom)
11:06 PM • Apr 12, 2023

Apple Stores in the Brutalist architectural style.
— Basic Apple Guy (@BasicAppleGuy)
2:02 PM • Apr 13, 2023

Oh gimme a break. A 2-minute charge gives you 9 hours of usage
TWO MINUTES. That's a whole work day. Nobody is losing an entire day of work time waiting for a Magic Mouse to charge up
This is a problem that's overblown over and over again
— Ray Wong (@raywongy)
6:48 PM • Apr 12, 2023

One more thing ...

❝

What our competence is, is making complex technology easy to use and self-discoverable. And we’ve done it in spades on the iPhone. So that’s how we got here. We thought we could make a contribution by making something truly great that we loved.

And we’ve done it. We love this thing. And starting tomorrow at 6 p.m., we’re going to find out if other people love it as much as we do.

— Steve Jobs, in a speech to Apple employees on eve of iPhone launch in 2007

Today’s poll

Have you ever been hacked?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Have you used a TV as a monitor?

Best reader comments from ‘ilyashap,’ ‘cult-of-mac.coincpc,’ and ‘jfhannon.’

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