Rooted and jailbroken devices are 250 times more vulnerable to cyberattacks than non-rooted ones. These devices are significantly more likely to experience system breaches, malware attacks, and data leaks. Despite a decrease in rooted devices, they still account for 0.1% of analyzed devices, and their risks continue to grow. The Zimperium report reveals that rooted devices face 3.5 times more malware attacks and have 12 times more app compromises.
The tools used for rooting and jailbreaking, such as Magisk and APatch, are continuously evolving. These tools bypass security measures and maintain persistent root access, which makes detection harder for security professionals. Other common methods, like sideloading, further increase exposure to malware and unauthorized access. As Apple and other companies face regulatory pressures to allow sideloading, the safety of these devices is increasingly at risk.
The growing vulnerability of rooted devices poses a significant threat to both personal and corporate data. As more users root their devices to customize them, weaknesses in software architecture create potential breaches. Industry experts warn that removing security features to root or jailbreak a device compromises its protection, exposing sensitive data to external threats.
To counter this, experts suggest deploying advanced threat detection systems to identify and block compromised devices in corporate environments. J Stephen Kowski of SlashNext highlights the importance of securing networks without disrupting employee workflows. However, as root detection tools continue to improve, companies must stay vigilant and proactive against the increasing threat posed by rooted and jailbroken devices.
