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A TECH expert has issued a warning to iPhone users on why you should never use a stranger’s charging cable.
Some chargers can give anyone full access to your devices, even though they look just like a regular Apple charger.
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Tech whizz Ryan M. Montgomery posted a video for his one million followers under his 0day Instagram account.
The short video quickly racked up more than 13,000 likes.
Holding up two iPhone charging cables, Montgomery explained how data-stealing devices can be disguised to look just like the real thing.
“One of these two identical-looking chargers can cause havoc to your computer or phone,” he said.
“I’m going to plug this ordinary-looking cable into a new computer.
“With this cable plugged in, I have full access to the computer.”
Montgomery then pulled out his phone to show how he was now able to use it to access the computer.
“If I click this button, it opens up a terminal on the computer.”
He even plugged it in to prove that the data-stealing cable still worked as a regular charger.
“This is a fully-functional cable, you can still charge your phone with it,” he said.
Montgomery issued advice to any iPhone users worried about keeping their data protected.
“Never trust a cable that’s not yours and if you’re still concerned, get a USB data blocker,” he said.
“Stay safe.”
Many viewers were stunned to see the cable in action.
“We are not safe, our privacy is long gone,” one commenter wrote.
“WTF,” a second wrote. “Can we just all agree to go back to stone tablets and hammer and chisels, please?”
While a third asked if it was safest to use only “wireless charging” from now on.
iPhone tricks to try today
Here are some of the best…
- Typing cursor – When typing, hold down the space bar to turn your keyboard into a trackpad, letting you move around words and sentences more easily
- Close all Safari tabs – To do this in one go, simply hold the overlapped squares in the bottom right-hand corner, and press close all tabs
- Delete lots of photos quickly – Hold down on a photo and then drag your finger diagonally in Photos to select lots of images at once, then hit delete
- Convert currency quickly – Swipe down from the top of your Home screen, then tap in the bar and type a currency (like €200) and it will automatically covert to your local currency
- Check if you’re due a battery upgrade – Batteries inside smartphones degrade over time. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, and check out the Maximum Capacity reading. Generally a battery is considered worn when you’re down to 80% capacity. If you’re below, you can buy a battery swap from Apple
- Move apps around faster – Hold an app until it starts wiggling, then (while still holding) tap other apps, causing them to stack so you can move them around easier
In the comments section, Montgomery added that iPhone owners should use a USB data blocker to be safe.
These are small devices which prevent data from being transferred from a device while its charging.
Also known as a USB condom, they work by selectively disabling the data transfer pins in the USB cable, allowing only power to pass through.
