Xoom

[PoonDoggy]

So I picked up this Xoom for $200.00, upgraded to ics, don't have jelly bean yet. I hear a lot about rooting the device and downloaded Root Browser Lite. I am not sure what all I can do with this, I guess I really don't understand rooting and what it can do.

[stroyal]

If you want a simple explanation, I can handle that.

Rooting is just giving yourself Administrative Privileges, but it also gives any would be hacker Administrative Privileges.

Edit: Not to insinuate an un-rooted phone can't be hacked.

It lets you do anything the phone is capable of.

It comes from Linux, as these are Linux operating system.
Signing on as root, in Linux gives you full privileges, to change things.

Edit.
Isn't the biggest reason for rooting, so you can choose your carrier?
And second, to unlock features?

[ShyguyXPC]

actually I think its the other way around, unlock features and then choose carrier.

Many devices are limited in functions from various carriers, compared to what the devices can do in their native forms.

For example thats why a lot of Virgin Mobile (Sprint) users were surprised when the HTC Evo V (Evo 3D) was released for VM, with Mobile Hot Spot capability enabled, since that function has always been disabled on every other VM phone sold, and you had to root the devices to enable it, as well as risk voiding/losing your account with VM.

But since that specific phone, is their first 4G device, I think they finally enabled Hot Spot, as well as they now charge an extra fee for that function as well. The version of ICS that they have on the phone has most of its functions enabled as well, which was surprise to many as well.

[RicheemxX]

Correct, unlocking or sim unlocking allows you to take the device to another carrier (assuming your device is compatible with their service)

Rooting - like Jailbreaking - is basically taking back control of your system. You get full admin privileges and the ability to load almost any OS, applications ect you want. You can also tweak settings, customize themes and use some of the custom ROMs out there to totally change things up.

I can't say that I've heard much about rooting allowing hackers any better access or a chance for greater control over a device than a none rooted device. I guess it would kind of stand to reason that if you are running the device in a constant admin roll it would be more vulnerable. However I don't think rooting does that. I thought it was more like it replaces the "factory admin" with a new user admin?? Since I don't really follow the rooting community much I don't really know.

[ShyguyXPC]

I think KarmaKiller would be able to shed more light on that, he's been more into that in the last couple years than me or some others here.

I know he was talking about that Cyanogen Mod a couple years ago for phones, which is one of the premiere Rooted OS mods out there, with features, and abilities.

[KarmaKiller]

Just like others have said, your just 'unlocking' the device to let it run any app/rom you want. There are benefits and some drawbacks, like mentioned above.

Cyanogenmod is by far one of the most popular. It's basically a highly customized version of android. It can add a bunch of functionality that you normally don't get out of the box.
As far as the rooting, there is a slight security risk. It's not so much that your device can get hacked ( I mean, I know they can if your dealing with someone that knows their stuff) it's more the ability your allowing yourself to download and run any app. There are trojans and other nasties for android just like there are for any other OS out there. So by rooting, your kind of opening the door to those. That said, if you read reviews, and only download/use the more popular apps, you'll be fine.

I would say head over to XDA, they are the 'go to spot' for mobile devices. One tip, read all of the stickies you can find before you ask any questions. They aren't the most noob friendly forum, but if you do a search first before making a thread, that will prevent most of the issues.

[stroyal]

I know very little about hacking phones.

I was watching the latest episode, of Hak5, and I was amassed how fast the guest got into Darrens phone, and he is a careful hacker himself.

His phone was not rooted, and it only slowed the guest a little.
edit
Extreme Android and Google Auth Hacking with Kos - Hak5

He dose have to have access to the phone.

[KarmaKiller]

There are countless ways to actually get into a phone, and AFAIK, rooting doesn't really make it any easier. On top of that, most of the people that get 'hacked', it usually happens because they actually left their phone somewhere, lost it, or it got stolen. Most of the real technical ways are only used on high profile targets where their phone can't be easily got to.

[PoonDoggy]

Thanks for the info and link. I will check out the link.