Smartphone charging cable can steal data from your phone

Now, even a mobile charging cable in not completely safe to use as a hacker has shown how an iPhone charging cable can steal mobile data. Earlier, various smartphones were already under the scanner of stealing a person’s private data. This has raised concerns over privacy and security of charging cables.

The Apple lightening USB charging cable looks normal from outside like any other traditional charging cable. However, when the charger is plugged into the device, a hacker can wirelessly transmit virus in the form of payloads on the computer.

According to a report, "The cable comes with various payloads, or scripts and commands that an attacker can run on the victim's machine. A hacker can also remotely 'kill' the USB implant, hopefully hiding some evidence of its use or existence."

As soon as the charger is plugged, the virus will attack and remotely lock the computer screen in order to fetch the user’s password.

The hacker, known as MG said, "This specific Lightning cable allows for cross-platform attack payloads, and the implant I have created is easily adapted to other USB cable types.”

He further added, "Most people know not to plug in random flash drives these days, but they aren't expecting a cable to be a threat.”