The Risks of Rooting Your Android Phone

 

 

 

 

 

You’ve got your smartphone. It’s new, shiny, and sleek. You can use it to stay online while you’re out and about, and download cool apps to keep you company whenever you get bored. But can you download any app you want? What about custom themes? And have you ever wanted to change or replace apps and system settings on your phone because they’re not that easy to use?

Well, the thing is, you can't do whatever you want with your smartphone. For security reasons, phone manufacturers and mobile network operators impose software limitations. However, these limitations can be overridden by rooting your Android phone, although it is not advisable. Especially if you don't have antivirus for android installed, to protect you from mobile malware.

Many people are talking about the freedom of rooting their phone, without necessarily emphasizing the risks you face in doing so. Here’s a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of this process. Should you decide to go ahead, it’s best to make an informed decision for your own mobile security.

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First of all, what is rooting?

Rooting is a process that allows you to gain root access to the Android operating system code (the equivalent term for unlocking the device ID on Apple devices). It gives you privileges to modify the software code on your device or install other software that the manufacturer would not normally allow.

And for good mobile security reasons: they don't want users to make modifications to their phones that could result in irreparable accidents; it will be easier for them to provide support if they only allow users to use the same, unmodified version of the software.

But tech-savvy users have already developed rooting methods, which vary depending on the device. They are available on the web and more and more Android users are turning to them because of the powerful advantages they offer, such as:

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  • full customization for almost any theme/graphics
  • download any application, regardless of the application store in which they were posted
  • extended battery life and additional performance
  • updates to the latest version of Android if your device is out of date and no longer updated by the manufacturer

But if you do it improperly, it can create confusion. And even if done correctly, if your phone doesn't have protection antivirus suitable for Android, rooting leaves your device open to all types of malware.

With great power comes great responsibility

Now, let’s say all these advantages have convinced you to root your Android device. But you may do so at your own expense, risking your own mobile security. Here’s why:

1. You can turn your smartphone into a brick. Well, not literally, but if you mess up the rooting process, i.e. the code modifications, your phone's software can become so damaged that the phone will basically be as useless as a brick.

2. Your phone's warranty will be void. It is legal to root your phone; however, if you do so, your device will be out of warranty. Let’s say you root your phone and sometime later, you experience a malfunction with your phone – either hardware or software related. Because of Android rooting, your warranty is no longer valid and the manufacturer will not cover the damage.

3. Malware can easily breach your mobile phone security.Obtaining root access also involves bypassing the security restrictions set by the Android operating system (in many cases they do this to play games with infinite money). Which means that worms, viruses, spyware, and Trojans can infect rooted Android software if it is not protected by an effective Android mobile antivirus.

There are several ways these types of malware can get into your phone: through unwanted downloads, malicious links, infected apps that you download from untrustworthy app stores. They take control of your phone and make it do things behind your back: forward your contact list to cybercriminals, sniff your emails, send text messages to premium numbers, hoard your phone and collect personal data like passwords, usernames, credit card details that you use while socializing, banking and shopping on your smartphone.

 Mobile Security Advice

  • If you still want to root your device, do your research on the process as it varies depending on the type and brand of your smartphone. It’s best to seek advice from experts on dedicated forums or, better yet, ask a tech expert to root it for you. All this to ensure that you don’t turn your device into a brick.
  • Install proper antivirus protection for your Android phone even before rooting the device to avoid malware infections. BullGuard Mobile Security 12 offers mobile antivirus protection for a wide range of mobile operating systems, including antivirus protection for Android devices.
  • Here’s some good news: let’s say you do end up rooting your device. If for some reason you change your mind about doing so, you can always unlock the root. In this case, too, it’s best to seek expert help.

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