rooted/unrooted dilemma

Avast Mobile Security Avast Mobile Security for Android
1

Hi all :slight_smile:

Maybe some of you can help me here.

Yesterday I installed anti-theft unrooted, but now i’m having second thoughts.

What does it mean for me to root the phone? (sorry for being a noob)
Does it have any downside to it?

How can I change my current unrooted installation to a rooted one?

Thanks in advance !

2

I’ll suggest some reading…
http://www.androidcentral.com/root
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)

3

Hi,

I have additional hints:
to find out how to root your phone I recommend to google for

root xda

the xda developers forum has good step by step guides explaining how to root your phone.
once the device is rooted just open avast! Mobile Security and uninstall Anti-Theft using the Uninstall Wizard in the Mobile Security Settings. Then reinstall selecting rooted installation. Mobile Security doesn’t have to be reinstalled - just Anti-Theft.

have a nice weekend,

Werner

4

thanks guys - will read the articles, and try it this weekend :slight_smile:

5

You’re welcome. Come back frequently :slight_smile:

6

Not quite sure if the mods truly answered this question. Correct me if I’m wrong, but i believe the original poster was getting at what are the differences between a rooted AT installation and an unrooted one. Simple answer. Both have essentially the same functionality. However the commands can usually be seen on the receiving device if the installation is unrooted. so every command you send can and will be seen by the perps. How does this affect you? You have to send the pin number in order to execute the command. if the other person sees the pin, its game over and your installation has been compromised. I learned that the hard way. A rooted installation will not show the pin. This is android by design, and no fault of avast, so don’t expect any kind of fix for it.

7

Hi,

this is not exactly true. The PIN might be seen only if there is an incompatible tool installed on the device. Anti-Theft informs about those during its launch.

Filip

8

I can partly agree. However gosms is listed as incompatible. Even with that, on my EVO the commands are not seen, but with the galaxy s3 and droid razr the commands can be seem. It seems to be hit or miss at best varying between phone models

9

You can set up GoSMS so it’s never seen :slight_smile:

Filip