FBI: Don’t use free public phone charging stations

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials are warning travelers and shoppers to avoid public free phone charging portals, warning that “bad actors” use these to install malware and tracking software onto computers and phones.

This is the practice commonly known as “juice-jacking.”

“Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices,” FBI officials announced Thursday in a tweet.

“Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead,” the FBI officials advised.

The free public charging stations have multiplied in recent years as operators of airports increase services to accommodate growing numbers of people in transit.

Hotel operators and shopping center managers also have installed the charging portals, and FBI officials warned these too could lead to the installation of unwanted surveillance software and malware onto computers and smartphones.

Winklevoss twins lend $100M to Gemini

Billionaires Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss dipped into their own pockets to support their crypto exchange Gemini Trust Co., which has faced numerous setbacks during the yearlong market downturn for digital assets.

The twins made a $100 million loan to Gemini recently, according to unidentified Bloomberg sources. The move came after Gemini had informally sought funding from outside investors in recent months without coming to any agreements, according to three people.

Gemini and the Winklevoss twins didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Venture funding for crypto startups has cratered following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and slowdowns in the tech and crypto industries, plummeting 80% to $2.4 billion in the first quarter compared with the same period last year, according to data from research firm PitchBook.

Markets are mixed amid rate increase speculation

Stocks were mixed Monday in their first trading after a report heightened speculation the Federal Reserve may tap the brakes a little harder on financial markets and the economy.

The S&P 500 rose 4.09 points, or 0.1%, to 4,109.11. It did not trade Friday, when data showing a resilient U.S. jobs market heightened expectations the Fed would hike interest rates again at its next meeting.

Big Tech stocks fell more than the rest of the market, which helped drag the Nasdaq composite down 3.60, or less than 0.1%, to 12,084.36. It was down as much as 1.4% earlier in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was steadier, and it rose 101.23, or 0.3%, to 33,586.52.

Higher rates tend to hit tech and other high-growth stocks the hardest, and Apple and Microsoft were the two heaviest drags on the S&P 500. Apple fell 1.6%, and Microsoft slipped 0.8.%.

A report due Wednesday could have a bigger impact on expectations for the Fed. That’s when the U.S. government will release its latest monthly update on prices across the economy at the consumer level. Economists expect it to show inflation slowed last month but remains well above the Fed’s target.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were relatively stable after rising Friday in an abbreviated trading session following the U.S. jobs report. The 10-year yield, which helps set rates for mortgages and other important loans, ticked up to 3.42% from 3.41% Friday.

Compiled from Denver Post, Bloomberg and Associated Press reports.