Not all iPhone charging cables are safe: How hackers turn them into spy tools
Think twice before buying a third-party USB-C charging cable for your iPhone—hackers could use them as a tool to spy on you.
What happened: last week, Jon Brunertechnical experts from Luma Fieldshared a chilling discovery X,before twitter.
Using high-quality CT scans, Bruner reveals how a seemingly ordinary USB-C cable hides complex electronics, including Wi-Fi antennas and chips stacked together to act as miniature computers.
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These components embedded in the cables are invisible to the naked eye but can perform malicious activities such as keylogging, stealing data, and allowing hackers to remotely access connected devices.
The cable Bruner scanned was an O.MG cable, a tool originally developed by researchers Mike Grover Used for security testing. However, the same technology could be weaponized by hackers or state-sponsored groups to turn everyday accessories into espionage tools.
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Why it’s important: The implications of these findings are staggering. While the O.MG cable serves as a controlled demonstration, it highlights how advanced hacking tools have become.
A rogue USB-C cable can charge your iPhone or transfer data as intended, while secretly spying on you.
As electronics become smaller and more powerful, rogue cables are no longer visually identifiable. Hackers can exploit public charging stations, coffee shops and even low-cost third-party accessories to target unsuspecting users.
The safest way? Stick to official accessories from trusted manufacturers, such as apple inc., Samsung Electronics Corporationor alphabet inc. Google.
Public charging ports should be avoided whenever possible and portable battery packs should be your first choice for on-the-go charging.
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