Root Can rooting increase security?

[cloyd]

I am interested in rooting my Asus transformer. On my PC I use Ubuntu, and one thing I have enjoyed about Linux is the increased security that control over root gives. Nothing, absolutely nothing gets installed without invoking root with "sudo" That includes viruses. In order to install a virus, I have to be tricked into granting the virus root access in order to get a virus or other malware. After rooting, will the same thing happen with my tablet, or can I easily modify it so that the same thing can happen; that is, nothing can be istalled if root is not invoked?

One thing I want to make clear . . . in ubuntu, I do not normally operate at root . . . root is accessed for specific commands for a specific time period. It is designed so that you are only root for the task you need to acacomplish.

Quite frankly, for the last two years I've used linux and I have enjoyed not paying Norton or Mcafee. I know I am still open to social engineering, but stupidity is always possible.

 

[Ralkkai]

Right now malware on smart devices really ins't that big of a deal, though the threat is always there. As far as rooting your device goes, you do get SU control form terminal emulator but it more just allows more access to apps and whatnot that aren't available to end-users. Where as in Ubuntu whenever you need to grant an installation via elevated permissions, you type sudo apt-get etc and then a passwrod, in Android when you want to run something which requires elevated permissions, it will just display a popup with the android root icon and it will ask you if you want to grant said app root permissions. it's more so like windows vista/7 aor when you download and install something from the software center in ubuntu. but ultimately, yeah you do get full contorl over your device

 

[Rxpert83]

Rooting can absolutely increase security as there are many security apps that require root.


But as mentioned you don't need to worry about malware if you are downloading from the play store


On a rooted phone you still have to grant or deny root access to apps that request it. They cannot run as root unless you allow it

 

[ITJ]

I wouldn't say if you download from the playstore you are 100% safe. it has been proven that an app can be safe then updated several times to by-pass the security features from google and turn the app malicious. I do agree security apps llike LBE privacy app needs root and can control what app has access to what information. Without root the app is pointless. So yes it increases security

 

[Rxpert83]

Google regularly scans the play store for maliscious code in the apps.

It's about as safe as it can be.