Consumers rely on their phones for both business and personal matters now more than ever. Whether they need to answer important work emails or just want to watch their friends’ latest Snapchat stories, they need their phones in order to stay in touch with colleagues and to entertain themselves while they wait for their flights to arrive. Should their devices die, people may end up feeling disconnected and out of touch from the rest of the world. Or just bored. That’s why so many travelers love using the free USB power charging stations that many airports provide, as they are both free and convenient.

But these charging stations are not as safe as you think. To help you protect your devices and stay cyber-safe, InMotion has created a guide on the dangers of airport chargers as well as a list of safer, alternatives you can turn to when you need to charge your phone.

Get Inside the Mind of a Hacker

Look at an Airport the Same Way a Sophisticated Hacker Would

Cybercriminals can reportedly use both the USB plugs provided at airport charging stations and random outlets to install malware into your phone without your knowledge. The outlets provided on airplanes aren’t 100% safe either. Clever criminals may also leave chargers and USB sticks with malware built into them around the airport for unsuspecting victims to use. Once the victim plugs their phone into the charger, the hacker can gain access to your device within seconds. And if you plug your phone into your computer, you have just given the hacker access to all of your information stored on it. Researchers call this practice “juice jacking.” Instead of using public charging stations that are vulnerable to hackers, we advise consumers to invest in portable battery packs instead to prevent their devices from getting hacked.

For Those Who Don’t Want to Carry a Separate Charger

Chargers That Juice Up Your Phone While Protecting it From Damage

For a sleek charger that doubles up as a phone case, consider looking into the Juice Pack Air by mophie. The case is made for the iPhone 7 and 8 and comes in five different colors, including black, pink, taupe, navy, and red. It delivers up to 100% extra battery, giving you 27 extra hours of cell phone use.

The Juice Pack Access by mophie is also available for the iPhone X Max. This case allows you to charge wirelessly while also giving you full access to your iPhone’s Lightning port. The iPhone XS Smart Battery Case by Apple offers talk time up to 33 hours, internet use up to 21 hours, and video playback for up to 25 hours. Its soft microfiber lining on the inside protects your iPhone while the soft silicone exterior makes it easy to hold.

Travel Charging Kits You Can Carry Anywhere

Accessories for People who Prefer to Use an External Charger

If you have a Qi-enabled device, the mophie 10,000mAH Charge Stream Powerstation Wireless XL can provide portable wireless power that adds over 48 hours on a smartphone, 24 hours on a small tablet, and 17 hours on a large tablet. Simply place your device on top of the charging surface and push the power button to begin charging. If you need to charge more than one device at a time, you can plug an extra wired device to the charger’s 10W USB-A output port. The Powerstation’s small, lightweight design makes it easy to fit into your bag and take it wherever you go.

Don’t Forget to Protect Your Laptop Too

Check Out These Laptop-Friendly Chargers

For a powerful charger that allows you to charge multiple devices at once, the myCharge Hub Plus 6700 mAh Portable Charger for Most Lightning-Equipped Apple Devices may be the perfect charger for you. You can charge up to three devices simultaneously via Lightning cable, micro-USB, or standard USB. Its small size makes it portable and easy to pack away into a small briefcase or backpack. The Powerstation Plus 6040Ah Portable Charger by mophie may also be of interest to you. Its Lightning cable, Apple Lightning connector, and 10W USB-A outport allow you to charge any Apple device on-the-go. The charger’s built-in four-light LED power indicator also lets you check the amount of power you have left.

If you don’t have a Macbook, check out the Retractable Universal Ultrabook/Notebook Charger with 2.1 A USB Port from ReTrack instead. The charger is equipped with a 2.1 A Rapid Charge USB Port, a charging light LED indicator, and a protection system. 12 interchangeable adapter tips also come with the set, which allow you to charge devices from brands including Acer, Asus, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.

InMotion wants to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable journey. Sometimes this means taking extra precautions in order to protect your devices. But in the end, it is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t forget to stop by InMotion during your next trip to check out the latest in electronics and learn about all we have to offer from our expert consultants.