Your telephone is running low on powerwhile you wait to fly out of an airport.Other people have connected their cell phonesand other devices to electrical outlets in the waiting area.Like you, they are preparing for the flight.Then you discover a public USB charging area close by.You quickly reach for a charge cordand connect your phone to the charging hub.Then you take a deep breath and sit back,happy to get the power for free.What could go wrong? Plenty.In addition to providing electrical current,phone charge cords can send and receive data.That free USB charging hub at an airport, hotelor other public place may not only charge your phone.It also could be transferring information to and from the device.The USB charging hub could be connecting to your phoneand copy your contact list, email and text messages,voice mails, photographs and videos.It can also copy passwords, banking information, personal contactsand any other information stored on your phone.That public USB hub may even download programs,such as malware and tracking software, to your phone.This form of data transfer is known as "juice jacking."If you want to charge your phone while traveling,you have other choices that do not increase your risks.Here are ways you can avoid juice jacking:Connect your phone only to electrical outletsso data transfer is not possible.An available outlet may not be as near as a USB charging hub,but the few extra steps may keep you safe.It is better to use a distant wall outlet than a nearby USB charging hub.Carry a cord that only transfers electricity, not data.Be sure to mark the cord so you do not accidentally use itwhen you need to transfer data,such as saving photos to your computer.Carry an extra, fully-charged battery.Having one means you can charge your phone without having to worry aboutcarrying a special cord or finding a power outlet.You can charge your phone with the extra battery wherever you are,even when you are far away from an outlet.If you must use a public USB charging center,make sure to turn off your phone completely.This may or may not prevent data transfer.But it will reduce the chances of it happening,depending on what phone you have.Remember to fully charge your phone before you leave home or work.iOS and Android operating systemshave security programs designed to prevent juice jacking.But the safest way to charge your phone is to avoid public USB hubs.A few years ago, a computer security conference was held in Las Vegas, Nevada.One security company set up USB charging areas that had video screens.The screens showed the message: Free Cell Phone Charging.But when conference attendees connected their phones to the charging centers,the screens turned red and showed this warning:"You should not trust public kiosks with your smart phone.Information can be retrieved or downloaded without your consent.Luckily for you, this station has taken the ethical route and your data is safe.Enjoy the free charge!"Brian Markus is chief executive officer for Aires Security,which set up the USB hubs.He explained that the purpose was to show how even security expertscould be persuaded to charge their phones at such centers.Markus told KrebsOnSecurity,"Anyone who had an inclination to could put a systeminside of one of these kiosks that when someone connects their phonecan suck down all of the photos and data, or write malware to the device."Naturally, not every USB charging hub is operatedby those who are trying to take data from your phoneor download malware onto it.Many charging stations just do what they say,charge your phone for free.But you should know that you are taking a riskwhen you connect to a public USB charging hub.It is better to be safe and charge from an electrical outletrather than a USB port.