Question on Samsung Knox

[TheRabbits]

I read online that devices with Samsung Knox contain an e-fuse which is tripped in case the device is compromised. Will modded apps trip it? Can malware and viruses trip it too?

[A_I · Accepted solution]

I guess not,but flashing a custom/mod firmware and rooting can.

[TheRabbits]

Would knox still protect me from viruses and malware though?

[A_I]

Yes, that's why you're receiving monthly/quarterly Sec. Patch to prevent from exploits.

[TheRabbits]

Ooh that's very cool. Thanks for the help.

[maxq1]

Installing custom recoveries & ROMs or rooting don't necessarily trip Knox/break the efuse. The only thing that does so is when the bootloader is unlocked, which is a prerequisite for all those custom fw & rooting. So malware & viruses can't trip Knox but I'd be wary of these still. And having an intact Knox doesn't protect you 100% vs these pests

[A_I]

Unlocking bootloader is the first thing before gaining access to the system. So when it says *rooted* you just pass unlocking bootloader.

[maxq1]

You can have an unlocked bootloader but still remain UNrooted and with a custom rom. You can also have a stock fw but have your bootloader unlocked already. In both cases, you've tripped Knox. Having a custom recovery or rom doesn't necessarily mean you're rooted already. Rooting doesn't mean you're bypassing the bootloader. Rooting means you, as in Windows (su or super user in Linux), have full admin rights to your system. The bootloader is encrypted so you can't bypass that unless you explicitly choose to within developer options or, as with the case with Xiaomi & some others, the OEMs allow it via remote or an app

[A_I]

Sorry for my wordings my bad, what i mean is we are heading to get rooted right? So when you are get rooted you get through unlocking bootloader.

[maxq1]

No. The thread is about what trips Knox or borks the efuse. But if you wanna talk about rooting and to make clear your statement, you do need an unlocked bootloader (again, the only things that trips Knox) to allow rooting & other customizations. The article you posted says so too