Trojans are among the most common viruses on Android platforms, and among them the most dangerous are rooting Trojans. Here's how to recognize them and how to defend yourself
Android, Google's mobile platform, is increasingly targeted by hackers. Among the malware developed by cyber criminals for Android smartphones are mainly Trojans, viruses that can infect the device in various ways and can cause various problems.
Mobile Trojans usually act by exploiting links, apps and messages. They are particular viruses that are embedded on other files and start infecting the smartphone once we open or download a particular content. They are among the most popular malware on Android because they are one of the easiest ways for hackers to make money immediately. Trojans can steal our banking information or download paid apps and services on the device without our will. There are different types and families of Trojans, each with its own characteristics and specific functions. Among the most dangerous ones are rooting Trojans.
Rooting Trojan
Rooting Trojans are designed to take remote control of any Android smartphone. This way once the device is infected, it is as if we lose possession of it, because the hacker can do whatever he wants even if we have daily use of the phone. The main problem is that often the user does not notice the presence of the malware inside the smartphone. With this malware, the hacker gains access to the phone's root permissions (hence the name of the virus) and can basically do whatever he wants with the device. Even operations that in theory the manufacturer of our smartphone had blocked. It must be said that even an experienced user can root an Android and this operation in itself is not dangerous. The problem is that cyber criminals take advantage of root permissions to install paid apps or download other viruses to our smartphone.
How to defend yourself
To avoid installing a rooting Trojan it is advisable to download apps and games only from safe and reliable developers. And only from the Googel Play Store. Although the Google app store itself is not risk-free. Also we will have to constantly update our mobile operating system and install all security patches that are released.