Alarming Surge in Android Rooting Threats Launched by Study

Although not as popular as it was a few years ago, rooting an Android device is still a practice that many people undertake to unlock more functionalities. However, it’s important to consider the security risks associated with this task. When you root an Android device, you gain access to normally restricted areas of the system, but at the same time, you open doors to potential attacks and data theft. According to Zimperium, a cybersecurity company, there is an increasing number of malware specifically targeting devices with active root access.

Their study reveals that rooted devices are up to 3.5 times more vulnerable to malware attacks and 12 times more likely to be infected by malicious apps. In the past year alone, reported incidents of infected rooted devices, malicious apps, and related attacks have skyrocketed by almost 250 times. The number of compromised file systems has increased by a staggering 3000 times.

While the study indicates a decrease in the number of devices with active root access, it’s worth noting that those devices still remain highly susceptible to attacks. Devices with root access are particularly attractive targets because they can be easily compromised without much user interaction.

To make matters worse, there are even programs maliciously designed to assist with rooting devices, but they often come from unofficial sources and end up installing their own variants of malware on the devices. Users may think they are accomplishing their intended task, but in reality, they are putting their devices at risk.

As always, rooting a device should only be done in cases of extreme necessity. In today’s world, it’s unnecessary for the vast majority of users and is primarily reserved for advanced users seeking greater control over their devices and system.

So, before you decide to root your Android device, ask yourself: Do I really need it? Is it worth the potential security risks? In most cases, the answer will likely be no.