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Help Lock USB port?

N

norb

Android Enthusiast
Is there anyway to lock the USB port to prevent viruses from getting on my phone, or even coming from it, when using a PC to charge?
 
You should have the option to select Charge Only mode for your USB connection when you plug in cable from PC. Should be in notification drop down menu. Only way I can think of.
 
Not that it would matter on the phone. Viruses don't cross infect platforms. A PC virus can't affect Android, much the same way a Mac is immune to PC viruses and a PC is immune to Mac viruses. Then you have the fact that viruses by correct definition do not exist on Android. Malware, ransomware, yes. Viruses? No.
 
I agree likelihood of android getting malware during charge seems pretty small since we don't hear much about it.
Nevertheless if you want to err on the side of caution:
  • Charge only mode (vs data transfer / mtp mode) should help as mentioned.
  • If you have previously enabled usb debugging (under developer options), best to disable it since that may provide an attack path as mentioned here
 
Could be designed to go from computer to phone with phone as primary target. Wherenis developer options?
 
norb said:
Could be designed to go from computer to phone with phone as primary target. Wherenis developer options?
Click to expand...
Yes, via ADB interface access. It might be one of the first options in the "developer" menu.

PC Windows malware, worms and viruses, can get onto a phone's storage though, just like it can with any storage media, such as USB thumb drives. And can spread to other PCs that way as well. Might best to have USB set as charging only, especially if you are plugging into whatever unknown untrusted computers.
 
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norb said:
Could be designed to go from computer to phone with phone as primary target. Wherenis developer options?
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. Viruses CAN'T exist on Android because of permission access. A program can't run on Android without explicitly being given permissions to run. Hence viruses can't exist. Other malware can though. The difference is minute, since a virus is a type of malware.

Theoretically though, it may be possible to create a PC virus to infect Android. However, it would need the PC to have certain non-malware programs to exist though. That virus would need the PC to have capability to access the phone on USB debugging level, which would need certsin tools existing already on the PC, such as ADB. Having USB debugging off already closes that path AFAIK.

The closer the phone is to stock security configuration, the safer it is from attacks. The only problem at that point is the user engaging in shady activities.
 
norb said:
Shady?
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Installing pirated apps, or going to some not so usual sites. Porn sites too. I'm not judging, but porn sites are often plagued with popup ads that say you have a virus on your and forces you to install something, which is actually malware. I'd advice you to just hit back or cancel.

Although of course there are a few that manage to sneak in from time to time in Play Store amd get downloaded before being caught, you should just stick to trusted developers amd review permissions and you shoulf be fine.
 
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