Rooting

[gregg1100]

Being a member of the older generation(67), but still into techy things like building this puter that I am contacting you with, I am still not sure about how Android works- general stuff.
I have fancied certain apps--go to download it only to find out that it wants permissions to see phone calls, contacts and colour of underwear. I then don't bother. Why does any app want to see phone calls, contacts or alter things about??
Why has a phone got to be rooted to be able to cancel these intrusions into private stuff? Never noticed this with Apple, but then again, they just probably hid all that stuff.
I don't want to root phone-- probably balls it up- but can't see why devs need to include so many permissions in their apps.
Greg

 

[funkylogik]

Hi mate :beer: im also kinda old
Sometimes app permissions seem a bit freaky but if it wants something that seems scary like to know about your calls, its probably so it can hide itself if someone rings you
Youre quite right to read permissions but id urge you not to be paranoid mate

 

[Mikestony]

Hey greg! If I may chime in here

I personally don't worry about permissions. I download every app from the play store. I have over 100 of them on my device at the moment.

Should I be concerned? Perhaps. Am I concerned? No. If someone wants something bad enough from me, they will find a way.

Anyways, here is a nice write up on Permissions etc.

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

By the way, you are never too old for Android!!!

 

[funkylogik]

Lol im the same mate. I do use my phone for all my computing needs including buying stuff but tbh, i dont worry much or pay attention to permissions. If i hear of bad things happening to others then i may change my habits but for now.. ignorance is bliss for me

 

[Ramer84015]

Welcome Gregg,

I'm 59, but I don't think of myself as "the older generation" I just think of everyone younger as "One of Them". I too alway build my own PC's (and repair family & friends). Rooting the GS3 is really very easy, but with everything else of "our illustrious group" read up on it before attempting. Unless/until you have a reason to root, it's not a must do type of thing.

 

[funkylogik]

Age is just how many times we've orbited the sun mate :beer:

Speaking of rooting.. (im a rooter and modder but) if youre worried about security then rooting could be the worst thing you can do. It basicly strips away all the safety valves of your device and leaves it nearly as open to threats as your home computer :thumbup:

 

[sherlock5545]

You still have apps like SuperSU or Superuser, which act as a firewall between your phone and an app that wants root access. Just make sure, if you are rooted, that an app requesting root permission is legitimate, and then grant it the permission to do whatever it needs to do. This way, you are much safer.

 

[javamann]

Hey greg! If I may chime in here

I personally don't worry about permissions. I download every app from the play store. I have over 100 of them on my device at the moment.

Should I be concerned? Perhaps. Am I concerned? No. If someone wants something bad enough from me, they will find a way.

Anyways, here is a nice write up on Permissions etc.

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...explained-security-tips-avoiding-malware.html

By the way, you are never too old for Android!!!

Actually I'm 85 (next month), love Android, and love playing with this stuff. What else would I do with my time

 

[Mikestony]

Actually I'm 85 (next month), love Android, and love playing with this stuff. What else would I do with my time

Well, that is awesome! And hey, if you need anything, just ask/start a thread etc.
We'll be here

Edit: I like your signature by the way.

 

[sherlock5545]

I hope I can be an old technology lover as well, one day

 

[funkylogik]

This dude is
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/26/...ic_Full&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget

 

[nigsy]

Rooting your device will not take away the permissions issue, Apps still need permissions to work.

Rooting, as Funky say, strips away some of the inbuilt security. Yes you still have SU to stop you installing, but you now have the ability to over ride root security and install 3rd party apps. Dangerous if you're not 100% sure you know what you are doing.
Rooting a phone is so painless these days, I click and you're done almost. Not like the old days of downloading Android Development kits, gold cards, and pushing commands to your phone....they've taken all the fun out of it!!