Two experts warn of unreliable power bank devices that steal smartphone data

Two experts in the technology sector warned of several risks of unreliable, low-quality power bank devices promoted by e-commerce platforms at low prices.

The two experts confirmed to Emarat Al-Youm that some unreliable power bank devices not only pose a threat to the safety of devices and batteries, but may also turn into a tool for electronic hacking and theft of personal data, especially with the development of cyber attack methods targeting smartphones through charging ports.

These warnings come with the significant expansion in the use of smart phones in various aspects of daily life, and the significant increase in reliance on portable energy storage devices known as “power banks,” as an essential means of ensuring that phones continue to operate throughout the day.

Multiple risks

In detail, technology and digital security expert, Imad Al-Haffar, said that purchasing portable energy storage devices, “power banks,” from unreliable sources may expose users to multiple risks, noting that some of these devices may contain malware, which is automatically installed on phones once they are connected for the purpose of charging.

He added that this software may later lead to phone hacking and the theft of data and personal information without the user’s knowledge.

Al-Haffar explained that modern hacking methods have become increasingly dependent on methods that seem normal and safe for users, such as public chargers, or portable energy storage devices, where communication ports are exploited to transfer malicious software to smartphones.

He stressed that the increasing reliance on smartphones and digital applications in daily life has made these means an attractive target for hackers and hackers.

Al-Haffar stressed the importance of purchasing power bank devices from well-known brands and reliable sources, and not getting carried away by the low-priced offers offered by some e-commerce platforms, especially since these devices are connected directly to phones, making them a potential means of accessing users’ data and hacking their devices.

He pointed out that poor-quality devices may also pose a risk to personal safety and to phone batteries, due to poor manufacturing quality.

Communication gaps

For his part, technology expert, Jess Kim, said that power bank devices are one of the means that can be easily exploited to transmit malicious software and steal data, by downloading malicious applications or files to the phone without the user’s knowledge, once the device is connected to charge.

He added that some unreliable devices sold through e-commerce platforms at low prices may exploit USB communication vulnerabilities to transfer data, photos, and sensitive files, while more advanced types use wireless communication technologies via Wi-Fi networks to transfer data by simply connecting to the device.

Kim pointed out that the risks of these devices are not limited to the cyber aspect only, but also extend to the technical aspects and public safety, as their manufacture with low-quality materials may lead to their temperature rising, or the batteries swelling or even exploding, especially when they are exposed to overcharging, indicating that the continuous use of these devices may lead to the weakening of phone batteries, and causing gradual damage to them.

He advised that it is necessary to purchase “power bank” devices from known and reliable sources, and to use “cables” designated for transferring power only and not data, in addition to activating the “charging only” option when connecting phones to external devices, in order to limit the possibility of transferring data or installing malicious software.

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Hidden slides

International reports revealed that digital security experts at the international technology company OMG were able to discover power bank devices that contain hidden and advanced Wi-Fi chips, capable of recording keyboard clicks and sending them wirelessly to distances of up to 90 metres, which poses a serious threat to users’ privacy and the security of their information.

The reports stressed the importance of making sure to purchase devices that carry official certificates and accreditations, proving that they have passed electrical and thermal safety tests, with the need to search for well-known brands, and verify the presence of approved abbreviations that mean passing reliable electrical and thermal tests, and include marks for certificates such as “CE”, “FCC”, and “ROHS”, which are indicators of the quality of the device and its adherence to safety and security standards.

. Some power bank devices may contain malware that is automatically installed on phones once they are connected for charging.