What is juice jacking?

Juice jacking refers to the malicious practice of transferring malware to a device through a compromised charging station. This type of cyberattack leverages public charging facilities, such as those found in airports or coffee shops, where unaware users connect their devices to USB ports.

When a device is plugged in, instead of only drawing power, it can also allow unauthorized access or the transfer of malicious software. This can lead to data breaches, theft of sensitive information, or the unintended installation of malicious applications. The primary risk arises from the dual-purpose nature of USB connections that enable both charging and data transfer, making it essential for users to be cautious when connecting their devices to unknown or public charging stations.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately define juice jacking. For instance, methods of data recovery and file transfers over Wi-Fi do not involve the unauthorized transfer of malware or exploiting charging ports, while safely charging a device without data compromise emphasizes security rather than risk, which is the opposite of what juice jacking represents.