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I'm learning about how cellphone rooting works. Every procedure I've seen this far asks you to install a series of files that you download from random websites. Is it possible to know for sure that the files you are downloading will only root your phone, and that they are not 'trojans' or other types of malware?

Thanks,

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    Simple answer! Go to reputable sites where the developers are acknowledged such as XDA, Modaco and not from some un-trustworthy site.
    – t0mm13b
    Jan 31, 2013 at 1:36
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    @t0mm13b So how do you know which sites are reputable?
    – Michael Hampton
    Mar 9, 2013 at 5:14
  • @MichaelHampton Read from reliable sources such as Modaco, XDA, Reddit's /r/Android, and last but not least, here also! ;)
    – t0mm13b
    Mar 9, 2013 at 23:04
  • Also, you could check the MD5/SHA1/etc. (if provided) if you trust the creator but the link might be iffy.
    – aleksikallio
    Jun 11, 2013 at 10:50
  • Checking an MD5 is inadequate these days. It's not that hard to come up with a different file with the same MD5 has. SHA-1 is a little better but still relatively weak.
    – Dan Hulme
    Sep 13, 2013 at 12:42

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There are two possible counter possibilities:

First possibility: In case the rooting is done by scripts and certain binary tools you can check if the binary tools are standard tools, and e.g. included in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). In such a case you could compile the tool yourself or search the net for multiple sources. In the ned use the one from the most trustworthy.

Second possibility: Use a virtual machine for executing the rooting software. Using a virtual machine like VMware you can connect an USB device like an Android phone into the guest OS. Therefore rooting the device from within the guest OS is usually possible and does not affect the host OS.

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    Rooting from inside a VM doesn't stop the toolkit installing malware on the Android device you're rooting.
    – Dan Hulme
    Sep 13, 2013 at 12:43

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