Security researchers have detected a new trojan targeting Android devices, but this one is unique in its own right because its creators have built it on top of an Android rooting utility called Root Assistant.
The new trojan takes the rooting toolkit's source code and twists it for malicious purposes, using it to gain root access without needing user interaction by leveraging the features packed inside the rooting toolkit. Root Assistant was created a few years back by a Chinese company to allow users to root their devices using a single tap and four Android vulnerabilities. There are at least 600 users infected with Rootnik.
Read moreAndroid is well known for its seemingly never-ending customization options and its permissive rooting credentials among other things. Distributions that cannot be modified to enable elevated permissions are quite rare, as enthusiasts seek to have virtually every possible feature available at their disposal.
But should you pursue that path? Does root provide what you need, or what you think you need? There are a couple of good reasons why you probably should root Android, but root is not for everyone, as the risks can far outweigh the benefits and you are likely to regret your decision once things get messy. So here is why you should not do it.
Read moreAxarhöfði 14,
110 Reykjavik, Iceland