From Newsgroup: nz.comp

Seems there have been cases of crims hijacking USB charging outlets in
airports to connect special devices that can pwn your mobile device <https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/airport-passengers-warned-of-phone-charging-scams/RGBS35ORBVBUDJIVO466TIFNAQ/>.

When I was in Hong Kong Airport a few years ago, it was very hard for
me to find a mains outlet to charge my laptop. Just about all the
ports built into the public seating areas were USB ones, for
phones/tablets.

It is possible to get USB cables that only connect the power wires for charging, without enabling data transfer. Alternatively, here <https://github.com/robertfisk/USG/wiki> is a USB rCLfirewallrCY-type
device that tries to protect you from malicious devices. If you donrCOt
want to build your own, thererCOs a link in the readme to buy NZ-made
ones.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.comp

Maybe better only charge powerbanks on untrusted outlets and then later
charge your phone with them. That adds the benefit that power glitches
may only kill the powerbank and not the phone.
--
I do not bite, I just want to play.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.comp

On Fri, 7 Jun 2024 04:02:13 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

Seems there have been cases of crims hijacking USB charging outlets in airports to connect special devices that can pwn your mobile device <https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/airport-passengers-warned-of-phone-charging-scams/RGBS35ORBVBUDJIVO466TIFNAQ/>.

When I was in Hong Kong Airport a few years ago, it was very hard for
me to find a mains outlet to charge my laptop. Just about all the
ports built into the public seating areas were USB ones, for
phones/tablets.

It is possible to get USB cables that only connect the power wires for charging, without enabling data transfer. Alternatively, here <https://github.com/robertfisk/USG/wiki> is a USB rCLfirewallrCY-type
device that tries to protect you from malicious devices. If you donrCOt
want to build your own, thererCOs a link in the readme to buy NZ-made
ones.

For charging my phone at the airport, a USB data blocker gives complete security for a tenth the price of that NZD $79.00 rCLfirewallrCY-type device.

<https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005162014091.html>
<https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007101835777.html>

<https://www.temu.com/nz/usb-data-blocker-protects-data-with-plug-and-play-usb-converter-head-g-601099557440405.html>


Also, are there any *independent* tests of that $79.00 rCLUSGrCY rCLfirewallrCY-type
device?
--
Kind regards
Ralph Fox
Efae

The greatest talkers are always the least doers.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.comp

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

It is possible to get USB cables that only connect the power wires for charging, without enabling data transfer. Alternatively, here <https://github.com/robertfisk/USG/wiki> is a USB rCLfirewallrCY-type
device that tries to protect you from malicious devices.

See also "USB condom"
<https://www.usbcompany.co.uk/accessories/usb-condom>

Not so simple with type-C and PD
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.comp

In article <lcftdfFlf5sU1@mid.individual.net>,
Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> wrote:

Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

It is possible to get USB cables that only connect the power wires for
charging, without enabling data transfer. Alternatively, here
<https://github.com/robertfisk/USG/wiki> is a USB "firewall"-type
device that tries to protect you from malicious devices.

See also "USB condom"
<https://www.usbcompany.co.uk/accessories/usb-condom>

Not so simple with type-C and PD

This one's worked reasonably well for me:

https://amzn.to/3xaZQ2r

I suspect it blocks PD negotiation for higher power levels, but if all
you're charging is a phone, it should fall back to at least 5V 2.4-3A charging of some sort. (My current phone doesn't support PD anyway...it uses
something called "Warp Charge" that is unlikely to be supported by any
public charger.)

(Your newsreader is inserting CRs at the ends of lines, BTW...might want to
fix that.)
--
_/_
/ v \ Scott Alfter (remove the obvious to send mail)
(IIGS( https://alfter.us/ Top-posting!
\_^_/ >What's the most annoying thing on Usenet? --- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: nz.comp

On Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:12:23 GMT, Scott Alfter wrote:

(Your newsreader is inserting CRs at the ends of lines, BTW...might want to fix that.)

I see CRLF at the ends of lines in Andy Burns' message. Both in the
raw message and in the base64-decoded text. I checked Andy's message
on two different news servers.

CRLF is the correct, standard on-the-wire format.
--
Kind regards
Ralph Fox
Efae

A man must plow with such oxen as he hath.
--- Synchronet 3.21d-Linux NewsLink 1.2