We often hear about some or the other mishap every other day with smartphones while they are charging. This has not just pushed OEMs to make their devices safer than before but have also led them to create better charging cables and adapters. Many also warn users to charge their smartphones using the cable and the adapter they come with. Soon, this will get better as USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has introduced an optional authentication program for USB Type-C cables.
This optional cryptography-based authentication, when applied, will let OEMs “protect against malicious payloads and harmful power surges from non-compliant USB devices,” says the Digicert website. The USB Implementers Forum has collaborated with Digicert as the certification authority.

It adds that this protocol will protect them against “potential damage from non-compliant USB chargers and the risks from maliciously embedded hardware or software in devices attempting to exploit a USB connection.”

It is worth adding that the new protocol uses 128-bit security. In addition, since this is an optional authentication process, it is not for sure if all the OEMs will implement this in all their devices, cables and chargers.

“USB Type-C adoption continues to grow and the interface is quickly establishing itself as the solution of choice for connecting and charging an endless variety of devices,” mentioned Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president and COO. “USB-IF is eager to work with DigiCert to manage our certificate authority for USB Type-C Authentication, which will further support the USB ecosystem.”

In 2018 we have seen a couple of smartphone brands trying something new with the smartphone charging tech. While Oppo became the first to bring 10V/5A fast wired charging in smartphones, Huawei, on the other hand, became the first to bring reverse wireless charging through its Mate 20 Pro. In reverse charging, one can simply keep the Qi wireless charging compatible smartphone on top of the Mate 20 to charge the device.

Source: gadgetsnow.com