Of course, as we use our Smartphone all day, we sometimes have the reflex to take the charger with us, to avoid any possible battery failure. Also, during an outing with friends, it may happen that we want to power our mobile via a public outlet or borrow a charger if necessary. Except that it is not advisable to charge your mobile phone in a public place. You expose yourself to many risks that are often overlooked. We explain why you need to be careful.
Beware of hackers: your smartphone can become an easy target
Cybersecurity experts often warn users that there is a hidden danger when charging your cell phone in a public place. Of course, nowadays, restaurants, shopping malls, bars, train stations, airports and other spaces are equipped with USB ports to allow you to charge your devices quietly. But, behind this comfort, there are risks not to be neglected. Indeed, you expose all your personal information stored in the mobile. You should know that these charging points are not secure. Computer security expert Drew Paik told CNN: ” If you plug your smartphone into a compromised power strip or charger, your mobile can become infected and this can compromise all your personal data.« . Since public outlets are often hacked, cybercriminals can spy on you, install malware or viruses on your device, retrieve your sensitive data (photos, videos, texts, calendar, files, etc.) or access important content via apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, email, etc.).
Be aware that fake cables and public USB ports are regularly used by hackers. This is their malicious way to take control of your devices, from where they can copy your personal data, or even your banking information. The experts’ warning should not be taken lightly: it is better not to get into the habit of not logging into public areas to take no risks.
If your battery is low, the first thing to do is to try to minimize the use of your smartphone until you arrive home to charge it safely.
If you have an emergency, you can use your mobile data for a short while, and turn it off right after. Be aware that your mobile uses a lot of battery to update your location. So remember to disable your location while waiting to get home.
It is best to have an external battery at all times. This way, you will be able to charge it at any time and you will avoid battery failure. So bet on a portable battery that will save you in this kind of situation!
N.B: Many people have two mobile phones. One is professional and the other is personal. This can also be useful in case one of them discharges, the other can take over.
Some tips to extend battery life
It is well known, most applications consume a very high percentage of battery. The screen is also a big battery consumer: the brighter the brightness, the faster your device is likely to discharge. Better to adapt it to your needs by reducing this clarity or setting the automatic brightness.
There are still other tips to put in place:
See also How many times a day can I charge a smartphone?
