TSA Issues Urgent New Warning for New Jerseyans Traveling

As spring break nears, New Jersey travelers are excitedly planning trips to sunny spots. TSA Warns stay safe and keep your data secure while traveling!

Maybe it's been awhile since you've been on a vacation. It's time for you to enjoy yourself. That feeling of total excitement, it's vacation-time.

Lots of New Jerseyans are just weeks away or possibly days away from a great trip. Whether it's Florida, North Carolina or any other popular place where it's warm for us to go this time of year.

Many of you will be flying and the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has an important warning for you.

What's the latest warning from the TSA for New Jersey Travelers?

It's something we all do, plug devices into USB power ports at airports. Most of us do not have our devices fully charged before boarding a plane and especially when we have those annoying delays at the airport. I know, you want your phone or tablet charged before boarding the plane.

There are a lot of charging stations at the airport with a USB port, either on the floor or a pole, waiting for the plane to board. But, now we have to worry about this? Now we have to worry about the charging stations. This is called juice jacking and/or port jacking?

TSA shared a warning on their Facebook page cautioning travelers against using those public ports. They explain: "Hackers can install malware at USB ports (we’ve been told that’s called “juice/port jacking”). So, when you’re at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port."

Here's what happens, according to Cybersecurity and the FCC: Malware can allow hackers to access the device while being charged. It may lock you out of your phone or tablet. They can also possibly get your password and find sensitive information on your devices and sell your information for money.

The TSA and FCC both tell all New Jerseyans and other travelers to bring an AC adapter and power brick so that you can plug your own USB cord into while traveling. This is the safest way if you need to plug in your device.  It's just a shame we have to even worry about this stuff, but it's better to be safe than sorry.