It’s a wild world out there, and your charging cable needs a condom.
What Is a USB Condom?
USB condoms function, in the hardware space, like the real-world condoms they derive their name from.
Related:What Is “Juice Jacking”, and Should I Avoid Public Phone Chargers?
Enter the USB condom.
A USB condom, also called a power-only USB adapter, is a really simple machine.
These simple data blocking port adapter ensures only power (and not malware!) get sent over your charging cable. Grab a multipack and give the extras to friends and family.
Inside the adapter plug, the data “pins” are missing.
From a privacy and security standpoint, there is no downside.
If the data connection isn’t there, the gadget falls back to a safe basic charging rate.
This slim in-line USB-C to USB-C adapter will hardly be noticeable once you’ve slipped it on your USB-C cable.
Where Can I Get a USB Condom?
you’re free to grab thePluggable USB-A to USB-A adapter, seen in the photo above.
They even havea USB-A to USB-A clear modelthat makes the missing data pins visible.
These simple data blocking port adapter ensures only power (and not malware!)
get sent over your charging cable.
Grab a multipack and give the extras to friends and family.
Various companies, including PortaPow, make dedicated data-blocking cables likethis USB-A to USB-C cable.
They work the same way as the USB condom adapters, but we don’t necessarily recommend them.
