Plugging your phone or tablet into any old USB port? You could be at risk from all sorts of viruses. But not if you use the USBCondom.
It’s an adapter that slips onto the end of your USB cable and provides a “protective barrier between your device and ‘juice-jacking’ hackers”, according to the security company behind it.
It’s pretty clever. It stops the data pins in the USB cable from connecting to the computer, but enables the charging pins to do so. So your device can take the computer’s power and charge, but your data won’t be at risk from being pilfered.
Peace of mind, especially now we’re storing more and more personal info on our phones.
“Malicious hackers can easily set up a charging kiosk to ‘hijack’ your device’s data or even upload malware,” its maker Xipiter said. “If you’re going to run around plugging your phone into strange USB ports, at least be safe about it.”
Even if you’re only charging on your home computer, it still pays to be vigilant. Hackers can install malware that can suck data from your phone or anything else you plug in.
Xipiter took to crowdfunding site Crowd Supply to fund the device. It sailed past its funding target of $500, raising $9,016 at time of writing.
The gadgets are available now for $12 (£7). If you want a pack of 12 – you digital floozy, you – it’ll cost you $89 (£54) and you’ll have to wait until September. A 25 pack, meanwhile, will set you back $199 (£120).
Read more: The reversible USB cable design has been finalised
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
