Look across any airport boarding area and you'll see travelers scrolling through their phones and charging their devices before flights, but federal authorities have urged travelers to be careful on both counts.
“Hackers can install malware at USB ports,” the Transportation Safety Administration posted on Facebook earlier in 2025. “So, when you’re at an airport do not plug your phone directly into a USB port. Bring your TSA-compliant power brick or battery pack and plug in there.”
Here’s what else travelers should know before their next flight:
It depends on how it’s done.
The Federal Communications Commission has also recommended using portable chargers or external batteries on X.
