PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CAMPUS One of the strengths of Indiana is that we bring together a variety of perspectives from the plethora of areas that touch the field of cyber, especially through the colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education throughout our state. Hence the name, “Perspectives from the Campus”, we invite experts – immersed in the pursuit of educating their students – to offer their knowledge for finding solutions in cybersecurity that benefit all Hoosiers. In the latest installment of this series, David Dungan, who serves as the executive director at the Center for Security Services and Cyber Defense at Anderson University, discusses the very real-world cyber risks involved when using (some) USB thumb drives and charging cables. It’s something we might not think about, but the threat is something that certainly deserves our attention. By David Dungan In our connected world, charging cables and USB thumb drives are essential tools that help us stay powered up and share data on the go. Whether you’re charging your phone in an airport or borrowing a flash drive to transfer files, it can be tempting to use whatever is available at the time. However, before you plug in that seemingly harmless device, think again. What looks like a helpful convenience could be a digital trap. Hidden Threats in Cables and Drives Most people might not realize that charging cables can do more than power your phone, they can also transfer data. Malicious charging cables, like the O.MG cable, are modified to install malware or steal information the moment you plug it into a charging port. Known as “juice jacking”, it involves a situation in which common charging stations -- found in public buildings – are adversely impacted by potentially holding one of these cables, allowing a hacker to silently compromise