Charge-only USB-C cables help protect against juice jacking, a type of attack where a malicious USB charging port tries to steal your data or install malware.
How a charge-only cable works
| Feature | Regular USB-C cable | Charge-only USB-C cable |
|---|---|---|
| Data transfer | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (data lines removed) |
| Charging power | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Device recognition | ✅ Host can detect your phone/laptop | ❌ Host cannot see your device |
By removing the data lines, the cable allows power delivery while blocking data access.
Why this matters in public places
Public USB charging stations may be tampered with to install malware or copy data.
- Best practices:
- Avoid unknown USB charging ports when using a standard data-capable cable.
- Use your own power adapter or battery pack.
- Use a Plugable charge-only USB-C cable (USBC-CC1M, USBC-CC2M) for safe charging in untrusted environments.
Learn more
The FCC provides more guidance on juice jacking risks and prevention: FCC Juice Jacking Safety Tips
For a more in-depth understanding of the increasing risk of juice jacking, please refer to our detailed blog post on the subject HERE.
