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ZDNET's key takeaways
Public USB ports may install malware through "juice-jacking" techniques.
Unsecured airport Wi-Fi can expose sensitive personal and financial data.
Use personal power banks and VPNs to ensure device security.
The next time you travel through an airport, you should probably be cautious about using the public Wi-Fi or USB charging ports, according to the TSA.
In a reminder posted on Facebook earlier this year, the TSA warned that while these freebies are designed to be useful, they can actually be dangerous if a fellow traveler has bad intentions.
Also: How to use public Wi-Fi safely: 5 things to know before you connect
Using a process called juice jacking, someone can install software on these airport charging ports that automatically transmits data -- including passwords and other sensitive information -- from your connected device. In some cases, your phone might lock down, preventing you from acting quickly to stop anything. In other cases, you won't know anything is compromised until it's too late.
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