The German Federal Office for Information Security warns that e-cigarettes might not only be harmful for your health, but also for your computer. The electronic cigarettes are sometimes charged over USB ports of computer and the German authority warns that attackers might infect the computer with malicious software that becomes active when the e-cigarette is connected.
The message was released on the German no-smoking day but the German Federal Office for Information Security (GFOIS) is serious.
"A device with an USB connector can contain a hidden microchip that contains malicious code. This could be downloaded to the computer using the USB port and without a proper firewall it can't stopped", the GFOIS writes on its website.
It therefore recommends to never plug in e-cigarettes or other unknown USB devices such as USB sticks from an unknown source and gadgets like USB mini-fans. Users that want to use these devices nevertheless, should use an USB charger that's connected to a power outlet instead of a computer, the GFOIS advices.
