Disadvantage of rooting Android devices

A lot of people talk about the freedom rooting phone gives you, without necessarily stressing the risks you face by doing so. Here’s a brief overview of the risk of this process. In case you decide to go for it, it’s best you take an informed decision for your own mobile security.

What’s Rooting?

Rooting is a process that allows you to attain root access to the Android operating system code (the equivalent term for Apple devices id jail-breaking). It gives you privileges to modify the software code on the device or install other software that the manufacturer wouldn’t normally allow you to. And for good mobile security reasons: they don’t want users to make modifications to the phones that could result in accidents beyond repair; it is easier for them to offer support if they allow users to only use the same unmodified version of the software.
But tech savvy users have already developed rooting methods, which vary depending on device.
But if it is improperly done, it can create havoc. And even done properly, if your phone doesn’t have proper antivirus protection for Android, rooting leaves your device open to all sorts of malware.
The following is the possible consequences of taking this action:

1. You can turn your smartphone into a brick.Well, not literally, but if you goof up the rooting process, meaning the code modifications, your phone software can get so damaged that your phone will basically be as useless as a brick.
   
2. Your phone warranty turns void.It’s legal to root your phone; however, if you do it, your device gets straight out of warranty. Say you root your phone and some time after that, you experience a phone malfunction – hardware or software related. Because of the Android rooting, the warranty is no longer valid, and the manufacturer will not cover the damages.
   
3. Malware can easily breach your mobile security.Gaining root access also entails circumventing the security restrictions put in place by the Android operating system. Which means worms, viruses, spyware and Trojans can infect the rooted Android software if it’s not protected by effective mobile antivirus for Android. There are several ways these types of malware get on your phone: drive-by downloads, malicious links, infected apps you download from not so reputable app stores.
   
4. Increasing the likelihood of user’s faults and deleting the system files.By rooting the Android, you will have access to everything and this will include all the operating system’s files. There is always the possibility of errors while you are making changes to system files and in case you remove a system file or update it with wrong configuration, then the OS may not work properly or even load. Although this is not a serious issue and by replacing a new clean ROM it will be resolved but it is still risky

London to install road crossing technology

With so much technological advancement happening everyday, the city of London is taking advantage of it to keep its people safer. The city has started planning to install smart pedestrian crossing systems by equipping its crossings with a bunch of sensors and devices.
This Smart Crossing systems uses cameras mounted on traffic lights to detect if pedestrians are piling up, and it automatically adjusts signals to give large crowds longer time to cross the road. In the future, the reverse might also be true: the city's transportation agency plans to tweak it so that lights change more quickly when everyone's safely on the other side.
The London Mayor, Boris Johnson said: "I am delighted that London is the first city in the world to be trialling this cutting-edge equipment, which will benefit pedestrians across the city.
"This really is a fantastic example of how London is leading the way by using 21st century technology to help make it easier for people to get around our great city. Innovation like this is key to keeping London moving efficiently and making our roads safer for everyone to use.

Heart sensor on Samsung S5

It's no longer news that the Samsung S5 is an awesome device from Samsung. However, did you know it is a heart-rate sensor? Yes, this feature is built into the phone next to the camera flash, the sensor can read a person's heart rate when he holds his finger up to it for a few seconds. The technology used isn't exactly new, but it's the first time we get to see it in a smartphone. It works by shining the phone's LED light on your fingertip, letting the sensor detect the blood flow beneath the skin. Amazing isn't it?