Do you charge your device in a public or on a non secure work space ? if the answer is yes then you are leaving your device open to be hacked.
Here is what Gemini has to say
A USB charge-only cable is a type of USB cable specifically designed to deliver power to a device without allowing any data transfer. Unlike standard USB data cables, which have four wires (two for power and two for data), charge-only cables only have the two power wires connected.
How it works:
Standard USB ports on computers or public charging stations are capable of both power delivery and data transfer. A charge-only cable physically blocks the data lines, ensuring that only electrical current flows between the charging source and the device.
Advantages:
* Security: This is the primary benefit. By eliminating data transfer, charge-only cables prevent "juice jacking" (a type of cyberattack where malicious software or data is transferred to or from a device through a compromised charging port). This is particularly useful when using public charging stations in airports, cafes, or other unsecure environments.
* Simplicity: If you only need to charge a device and don't require data syncing, a charge-only cable is a straightforward solution.
* Potentially faster charging: In some cases, with all power dedicated to charging and no diversion for data processes, it might lead to slightly faster charging times.
Disadvantages:
* No data transfer: The obvious drawback is that you cannot sync data, transfer files, or connect your device to a computer for any function beyond charging.
* May not be explicitly labeled: The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) doesn't mandate clear differentiation between charge-only and data cables, so it can sometimes be difficult to tell them apart without testing or looking for specific markings. Data cables tend to be slightly thicker due to having more wires.
* Slower charging in some cases: While sometimes faster, if a device "handshakes" with the charger to negotiate optimal power delivery, and that negotiation relies on data lines, a charge-only cable might result in slower charging if the device cannot communicate its charging needs.
Applications:
* Public charging stations: The most common and important use case is for safely charging devices at public USB ports where you cannot guarantee the security of the source.
* High-security environments: In corporate, government, or defense settings, charge-only cables can be used to prevent accidental or malicious data transfer from mobile devices.
* Travel: For general peace of mind when traveling and needing to charge your devices in unfamiliar locations.
Some products exist that are "USB data blockers" which are small adapters that you can plug onto your regular USB cable to turn it into a charge-only cable, offering flexibility