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Yes, ‘USB condoms’ are real, and they protect your gadgets from danger

9 October 2025 at 10:30

The odds say you won’t actually need your seatbelt today. The odds say that your phone won’t be hacked by a random USB-C wall charger, either. But, like a seatbelt, here’s why it’s worth investing in this cheap, easy protection device.

If you go on vacation or a business trip, chances are you’re going to need a data cable for your phone anyway, and an extra can’t hurt. But a power-only cable is a handy way of securing your phone no matter what out-of-the-way, dodgy hotel or airport you end up in.

Some people call these “USB condoms,” usually referring to a dongle that you can buy that blocks data from being transferred over the USB connection. In this case, “data” equals malware. Is a foreign government or hacker group building in standalone devices to push malware to your phone? Do credit-card skimmers exist? Okay then. If a malicious cable can be used to conceal malware, the wall port sure can.

I recently returned from a pair of trips to Arizona and Hawaii, and had planned to invest in a data-only USB-C cable anyway. As it turned out, Plugable alerted me about its entrance into the market, and asked if I’d like to try one out. The company offers a few cables of different lengths, and I think that Plugable’s $15.95 6-foot-cable works best, if only because it accommodates awkwardly placed outlets in airports, airplanes, and hotels. (There are also cheaper, shorter options.)

charging in an airport with a data-only cable
The chargers in the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport were underneath the seats in the terminal.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

Basically, you’re investing in a data cable that you know can be plugged into about anything. And no, you probably don’t need a wired data connection in this case, as Wi-Fi and cellular data can be used for anything that you need to download.

Plugable identifies its cables with a special red highlight so that you can distinguish it from other cables in your bag. As far as I can tell, it worked just fine, charging my phone on the road during some downtime and saving me from bringing another wall-wart charger. And since the cable handles power up to 240 watts, I could charge my phone, my tablet, and a laptop depending on which one needed some juice.

Admittedly, there was just one hitch. Virtually every phone on the planet uses USB-C for charging, now. But the chargers themselves were built years ago. In the airports in San Francisco (SFO), Kahului (Maui/OGG), and the Hyatt and Sheraton hotels I stayed at, every charger was USB-A, not USB-C. The exception? Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, which included both USB-C and USB-A connections.

USB A charger in airplane
A USB-A socket might be a more common sight than USB-C. depending on where you visit.

Mark Hachman / Foundry

So did I bring the wrong cables? Maybe. Fortunately, USB-A to USB-C data-blocking cables exist, and PortaPow is a trusted name in that regard. PortaPow’s 3-foot cable is just $6.99, though the company doesn’t state how much power it can handle.

In any event, a small data-blocker cable or “cable condom” is cheap, small, secure, inexpensive, and fits easily into a bag or purse — and that red accent certainly helps it to be found when you’re fumbling with a bag in the overhead bin. It’s just a good thing to have on a trip, just in case.

My favorite no-cable portable phone charger is on sale for $19 today

8 October 2025 at 11:06

With this pocket-friendly Anker Nano power bank, you’ll never have to worry about your phone’s battery level hitting red while you’re out and about and hours away from a charger. It’s one of the best backup batteries for a phone because it doesn’t even require a cable—just flip out the built-in USB-C connector and plug it in!

Right now, this ultra-portable Anker Nano power bank is only $19.19 on Amazon with this crazy October Prime Day deal. That’s a hefty 36% off its original $29.99 price and one of the best deals of this event.

I gotta tell you, this is one of my favorite power banks ever. It has a super-compact design that makes it so easy to carry around and bust out whenever I need it, and the 5,000mAh capacity is enough to recharge my phone to full from zero. I’ve been using it for well over a year, taking it with me everywhere I go, from concerts to day trips. I love the foldable USB-C connector as I don’t need a separate cable, and I can conveniently keep using my phone even while it’s plugged in.

As an added bonus, there’s another USB-C port on the side that you can use to simultaneously charge a second device if you want to. (That’s the same port you use to recharge the power bank itself, by the way.) Both the built-in connector and this side port can deliver 22.5W each when used on their own, so it’s perfect for fast-charging phones. It’s also compatible with both Androids and iPhones! Love that.

Take this tiny power bank with you everywhere you go

Everyone needs one of these. I couldn’t live without mine. Take advantage of this deal and grab this Anker Nano portable charger for just $19.19 while you still can! And afterwards, check out the best tech deals we found for October Prime Day!

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