The $15 USB-C cable I pack to avoid being hacked at public charging ports

USB-C is both a charging and a full data port, and that makes public chargers a potential risk for juice jacking. It’s simple to protect yourself: Plugable makes cables that block data while still letting you charge. The cables include an E‑Marker chip and support up to 240W (48V/5A), but they have no data lines, so any attempt at communication between the charger and the device is blocked.

They’re easy to spot by the red strain relief and the spec tag — remember the mantra: red means power only! Three lengths are available: a 1m/3.3ft cable for general charging, a 2m/6.6ft cable that works well with laptops, and a 5‑pack of 15cm/6in cables for small devices.

I find data‑blocking cables more convenient than tiny dongles, though those dongles let you use a cable for data when needed. The 1m cable costs $15, the 2m is $16, and the 5‑pack of small cables is $25.

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