During this process, the name of your device, the manufacturer and model, serial number, firmware information, file system and electronic chip ID could all be shared with the computer. According to Kaspersky, this is sufficient enough for a hackers to attack your phone and gain access to a ton of information. Kaspersky explains that if a smartphone needs to be charged, then it should be done using a public power station, and that a connection should not be made from the USB port of the computer. This is because during several tests, security experts were able to install a root application on a dummy smartphone which ended up compromising the device. In addition to Kaspersky, the notorious Hacking Team group also carried out a similar process, and they were successfully able to load a malware onto a smartphone once it was connected to the USB port of the computer. Kaspersky Lab researcher Alexey Komarov has warned us as follows: These attacks are less vulnerable if you have an iPhone and this has to do with the company’s robust mobile operating system. When you connect your Apple device to a computer or other device for the first time, an alert asks whether you trust the computer. The same scenario cannot be replicated on an Android smartphone. To protect your phone against attackers and hackers, Kaspersky has decided to provide us with some helpful tips:
Use only trusted USB charging points and computers to charge your device Secure your phone with a password, or with a fingerprint or iris scanner. Do not unlock the mobile while it is charging Use encryption technologies and secure containers to protect the data Install an antivirus software capable of detecting malware even if a charging vulnerability is used
Next time you charge your smartphone, you should think twice about committing the act. Express
