How often have you plugged your Smartphone into a random cable after asking the question, “do you have a charger I could borrow?” Given the average battery life of even the latest Smartphone, you’ve probably asked a friend, colleague or Uber driver this simple, commonplace question many times over without giving it much thought.

However, you should probably think twice about borrowing random chargers because even the most ordinary-looking cord may be hijacking your sensitive information without you knowing it.

An innocent-looking iPhone lightning cable named the “O.MG Cable™” gives hackers the ability to take control of Apple devices by remotely gaining access to passwords and other supposedly secure data. MG, the creator of the O.MG Cable™ claims that the charger transfers data exactly the same way that an Apple cable does, but his version is fitted with a small Wi-Fi-enabled implant. When plugged into a device, the implant allows a nearby hacker to run commands as if they were the ones sitting in front of the screen. Essentially, giving the attacker total control over your device.

So, how can you keep your devices safe?

If buying from a third-party merchant (ie: not from a licensed Apple retailer) beware of offers for cables/chargers that seem too good to be true. Don’t leave your charger unattended in a public place and do not lend it to strangers, mark your cable with tape or nail polish so that you know it’s yours, If you’re desperate for a charge, exercise caution when using other people’s cables.

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Articles used for reference: Source 1