Why You Should Only Use Your Own Charger

1. Why You Should Only Use  Your Own Charger    USB cables and chargers are everyday must-haves. Whether it                   is to connect your phone to the music system, transferring                     files to another device or just for charging. When our phones                       are running low on the battery we never think twice before                       borrowing chargers from others.        But it could be the biggest pitfall for your device. Because you                         never know the quality of their ​USB cables​ and USB adapters.    According to an article by TechCrunch, a hacker was able to                       access the phone’s data through a simple iPhone USB lightning                     cable. They manipulated the cable and added a small Wi-Fi                     1​​

2. enabled implant that let hackers run commands from a nearby                     device or within the Wi-Fi range. A hacker who goes by the                         online name MG made these implants where he claims that he                       gave utmost attention to make them look like the original                     ones.    Wondering, if it had already happened to you? Well, if you ever                         bought a cable from a shop which is not selling legitimate                       products or is just an unknown shop around the block, then                       there are chances they might’ve sold you so-called “MG                   cables”. As soon as you plug that cable to your device, hackers                         can access your data and easily transmit malicious payloads on                     your device. They can even send phishing pages to your                     screen, lock or even steal your data.    MG attempted to implant firstly in iPhone cables. But anyone                     can use these implants in any cable to target whoever they                       want. In one of his interviews, MG said that “Most people                       know not to plug in random flash drives these days, but they                         aren’t expecting a cable to be a threat.”      2​

3. Why It Is Necessary To Avoid Fake USB Cables                   And Chargers?    If we look at the basic operation of any cable, it has one                           particular job to do: supplying your device with power. The                     cable isn’t the only part of a phone charger. There are various                         other parts inside that charge your phone without damaging                   it. Like a regulator. This part notifies your ​USB adapter that your phone is full and doesn’t require power any further. Also,                                             make sure you are not constantly overcharging a battery as it                       will shorten the lifespan of any device.        When you opt for the fake chargers, it draws too little power                         to your device. Some chargers will show that your device is on                         charging, but after an hour when you check, all it did was just                           3​

4. indicate that it is charging. It didn't actually pass any power to                         your device.    All this can put your battery and to some extent your device to                           risk.    How To Avoid Buying Fake USB Cables And                 Chargers?    ● Take Care Of Originals  The original chargers are the ones that would go a long way.                         Therefore, always carry them with you to save the day in case                         of emergencies.    Some tips on taking good care of your original charging cables:    1. Unplug only by the head  2. Use surge protector  3. Keep it away from moisture  ● Consider The Input/Output Levels  4​

5.   When you are considering another charger, it is important to                     check these things first. Usual chargers accept an input level                     of 100-240 V. So, plugging it to an outlet or another source                         above this range might destroy the charger. Plus, look for the                       output levels. If your battery needs 4.2 volts for full charging,                       you need a power adapter that can reach this level. An adapter                         with a capacity of 3 V will charge your batter but at a slower                             pace.        Next, check the amperage. Usually, smartphone chargers can                 accommodate an output of 1 A. If a device requires less than 1                           A, it will only pull what it needs. In case your adapter’s                         capacity is, for example, up to 500 mA, and if you charge your                           device with it then chances are it might damage your device.  5​

6. ● Check Out The Certifications    There are certain certifications that show a manufacturer’s                 commitment to meet the regulatory standards of a particular                   area. CE certificates fall into that category. Additionally, RoHS                   certifications state that a product does not contain harmful                   materials.    Additional Tip for iPhone Users: Look for the ‘Made for iPod’ logo           whenever buying any peripherals for your device. This logo is Apple’s         licensing program for the manufacturers developing peripherals for Apple.                              ● Do Precise Comparison    Never go by their external looks and body. The fake ones                       would always look like the original ones. They might be                     showing the same brand name with certifications. But it might                     not have all of them which real one offers.      6​

7. Consider checking their weight. Tap on the product to listen                     to how they sound. These steps are necessary to take when                       you think that you might’ve purchased a fake one instead of                       the original one.        ● An​​Important Check    It is important to have at least a 9.5 mm gap between the edge                             of the pin and the charger. To check this, you can use any                           ball-pen as they have 9.5 mm points. After doing it make sure                         that it plugs correctly and does not have heating issues. As it                         may lead to damage and fire issues.    So, next time you go cable shopping make sure you are                       bringing home only the legitimate ones. Of course, using the                     7​

8. original branded company charger is the number one solution                   to the ‘fake cable’ problem. Other than that, look for reliable                       sources that sell authentic merchandise. That includes online                 stores as well as retail stores.    It is important to charge your phone always with your own                       charger. ​Here are some reasons explaining why should be doing so.                      If you found these blog useful, here are some other blog posts                         that may be of interest.    Understanding USB Cables & Their Types  Some FAQs About USB C Cables Answered!  Five Types of USB Type-C Adapters You Must Know About  What Makes USB C Cables Better Than Other USB Cables?  Why Should You Choose USB Type C Over All Other Cables?    8​