This tiny travel cable could be the best $15 I ever spent on security - here's why

"We're so used to using USB-C for charging that we forget it's also a fully featured data port, and hackers can use people's desperation to find a charger for their phone or laptop to their advantage. Juice jacking is a real threat -- but, fortunately, it's quite easy to protect against it with the right equipment. Also: 7 hacking tools that look harmless but can do real damage Plugable of that allow you to charge your devices while blocking data."

"Just the right lengths There are three sizes of cables: the that's perfect for general charging, a that I find just the right length for use with a laptop, and a 5-pack of 15cm/6in cables that are great for charging small devices. No data lines These cables all feature an and allow charging up to 240W (48V/5A), but because they don't have any data lines, any attempt at communication between the charger and the device being charged is blocked."

"Distinguishable The cables are well built and distinguishable from your other cables by the red strain relief (remember the mantra -- red means power only!) and the tag that gives the specs and highlights that they are data blockers. I find data-blocking cables more convenient than the little data-blocking dongles because it's easy to overlook those (although they do allow you the option of using your cables for data if you need to, so they might work better for some people)."

USB-C ports carry both power and data, creating a risk of juice jacking when charging at public kiosks or on transport. Data-blocking cables remove data lines while permitting power delivery up to 240W (48V/5A), preventing any communication between charger and device. These cables come in multiple lengths, including short 15cm/6in options and longer laptop-friendly lengths. They are marked with red strain relief and a tag to indicate power-only functionality. Data-blocking cables are more convenient than dongles for many users, and are primarily recommended for people who frequently charge devices in public places.

Read at ZDNET