ISSN: 2278 – 1323
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2016
1590 All Rights Reserved © 2016 IJARCET
CUSTOM ROM – A PROMINENT ASPECTS Of
ANDROID
Saurabh Manjrekar, Ramesh Bhati
ABSTRACT --This paper tries to look behind the wheels of
android and keeping uncommon spotlight on custom rom's
and essentially check for security misconfiguration's which
could respect gadget trade off, which might bring about
malware disease or information robbery. Android comprises
of a portable working framework in view of the Linux bit,
with middleware, libraries and APIs written in C and
application programming running on an application system
which incorporates Java-perfect libraries taking into account
Apache Harmony. Android utilizes the Dalvik virtual
machine with without a moment to spare gathering to run
ordered Java code. Android OS utilized as a part of cell phone
itself however now it comes in PC, Tablets, TVs. This
different ways makes them allowed to get to web by various
contingent applications. Which builds security dangers in
private and business applications, for example, web managing
an account or to get to corporate systems. In this paper, talk
about the Data security on Android OS.
Keywords- Custom ROM, STOCK ROM, Cyanogen Mod
I. INTRODUCTION
What is Android ROM?
After good response from the users using Symbian, iOS
and Windows there came into market a new Operating
System called as Android. Android is the mobile operating
system developed by Google. Android is a Linux-based
software system, and similar to Linux, is free and open
source software. One of the most widely used mobile OS
these days is ANDROID. Android is a software bunch
comprising not only operating system but also middleware
and key applications.This is a main reason to make
Android smartphones a very attractive target for attackers
and malware authors.
Period Android iOS Windows Phone
BlackBerry OS
Others
2015Q2 82.8% 13.9% 2.6% 0.3% 0.4% 2014Q2 84.8% 11.6% 2.5% 0.5% 0.7% 2013Q2 79.8% 12.9% 3.4% 2.8% 1.2% 2012Q2 69.3% 16.6% 3.1% 4.9% 6.1%
II. TYPES OF ROM’S
There are two types of ROM’s available for the android
device, they are described below :
A. Stock ROM:
The ROM or the operating system provided
bydefault by the device manufacturer. It is the
official ROM for the device.
B. Custom ROM: It is not the default ROM, it is developed mostly
by the third party developers. It can either be a
modified version of the stock ROM or it can be
completely different from the stock ROM.Stock
ROMs generally contains vendor specific additions
in them, where as Custom ROM’s have different
motives behind them. Some of the most common and
widely usable custom rom’sinclude :
1.1 CyanogenMod:
The largest aftermarket firmware compiled from
android ASOP and strives to be as close to ASOP code as possible. Source code is publically open.
This allow us to configure the working of the
navigation bar, status bar, notification drawer and
hardware buttons , and also the ROM is regularly
updated and supports most of the devices
1.2 Paranoid Android:
Paranoid Android is second most popular custom rom
in Android World which has been competing against
CyanogenMod since a long time.This rom enables the
user to customizeeverything in his way . There are a
number of cool unique features like hover notifications, cool immersive mode (hides the status
and navigation bars), dynamic system bars, peek
notifications from lockscreen and ability to use
gestures instead of the navigation buttons.
1.3 Cataclysm :
This Custom rom does not provide fancy look like
other custom rom’s.It mainly focuses on solid
performance. This ROM brings a lot of handy additions like configurable toggles, lockscreen along
with customization options for status bar, notifications
etc.
ISSN: 2278 – 1323
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2016
1591 All Rights Reserved © 2016 IJARCET
III. WHAT IS CUSTOM ROM?
A custom ROM is one that has undergone any modification
from being a pure distribution of Android. Google make
the Android source code available for users to play around
with, and people take this code and alter it for themselves. When you buy your Android device ,initially it has a
default operating system which is called STOCK ROM .
This ROM usually has limited functionality as defined by
the phone’s manufacturer. By flashing a custom ROM, you
can unlock extra features and sometimes improve the
performance.
IV. WHAT IS ROOTING ?
Rooting is process of modifying the preinstalled operating
system so that you can have complete control over it. you
can overcome limitations that the manufacturers puts on your phone. After getting root you can extend system
systemfunctionality , It gives permission to alter system
application , settings , run specialized applications which
require administrator-level permissions . hence it increases
little amount of security.
V. SUPERUSER
The user with full administrative privileges for
accessing the device is known as a super user. Super user is
unlocked when the device is rooted.
VI. STEPSTO INSTALL CUSTOM ROM
For this guide, you will need:
1. Unlocked bootloader 2. Custom Recovery
3. Android Device
4. GApps
5. Custom ROM
1. Step 1: Download a ROM
Find a ROM for your device from XDA
developerssite.Make sure you download the right one for your device. Many phones have several
variants.Once you have found the ROM you want,
download the ZIP file .This type of zip file may have
different size, its depend upon you which custom
Rom of your android version you looking for rooting.
Do not extract it! Then find the corresponding GApps
Save your ROM and GApps to your SD card.
2. Step 2: Boot into Recovery
To boot into recovery use your recovery combo
buttons.On most devices it is “Hold Volume Down +
Power” for 5seconds. Once you are in recovery, you
should see something like …
ISSN: 2278 – 1323
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2016
1592 All Rights Reserved © 2016 IJARCET
VII. AdvantagesOf Rooting
1. Full control Over Android,
2. Back Up And Restore The Whole System,
3. Save Space On Your Device,
4. Run Special Applications,
5. Allow To install Custom ROMs.
VIII. Benefits of switching to a Custom ROM
3. Performance
On a custom ROM, you’ll be able to over clock your
hardware to get big performance increases. These
changes can really show when you’re playing with
high graphics games or with application. Another way
a ROM can improve performance is by removing carrier or OEM-installed apps, known as bloatware,
which can free up system resources.
Fig. 1 Mobile Screenshot for Disable System Default Application.
4. Battery Life
Some Custom Rom’s come with lower voltage limits
that runs your phone just as fast , but uses less battery.
Higher clock speed increase performance on your
phone .Flashing a new kernel allow you to overclock
your phone using higher higher clock speed than
the manufacturer . You can dial it back a bit by
underclocking. With your processor running at a lower
speed, you can often extend battery life
5. Updates
While using Custom Rom you don’t need to wait for
an updates of operating system i.e. next version of
O.S. Some times manufacturers will cut support for
your device entirely. This leaves you stuck with a
phone with an old version of Android . One way is
Custom Rom on latest Android version .You can
download custom rom of latest android version and
flash a ROM based on it.
Fig. 2 Mobile Screenshot for Updating Operating System
6. Customization
Custom ROMs offer features that are not in stock
Android and many other options you can’t get
elsewhere. For example, a custom ROM allows you
to:
Install skins to customizelook and user interface.
Customize the quick settings menu Android includes
shortcuts.
Easily over clock your device to make it run faster or
under clock it to make it run slower to save battery
life.
Disable the volume warning that Android constantly
shows when you increase the system volume while
headphones are plugged in.
Hide the bottom navigation bar (on-screen buttons) to
get more screen real estate.
Easily enable root access by toggling a system
setting.
7. Configure App Permissions
Custom ROMs enables user to manage Android app
permissions, so user can prevent important data from
tracking your GPS location and play Android games
without giving them your identity information.
Fig. 3Screenshot For Application Custom Configuration
ISSN: 2278 – 1323
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 5, Issue 5, May 2016
1593 All Rights Reserved © 2016 IJARCET
8. Install Apps on SD card
This is currently not possible with stock ROMs. If your
phone ran out of space occasionally when install new apps
this is a feature must have.
9. Better signal and quality
Custom ROMs help you to improve your base-band which
in turn increases the signal and quality of your phone call.
IX. DISADVANTAGES OF CUSTOM ROMs
1. Bricking
This is one of the main reason why people hesitate
to root their devices. Some devices after the
rooting process may become useless and the only
option left with you is to get a new one as the
manufacturer will cancel the warranty if they find
any attempts of rooting.
2. LossofallData
When you install a new custom ROM, it will clean
up your system and therefore you will loss all your installed apps and data.
3. RiskFactor
Most of the apps will be open source and the trust
you have on developers may cause a potential risk
to you in the future.
4. Reboot
If the rooting is not successfully done, the device may enter to an infinite loop of booting.
X. Conclusion
To gain the full control (administrative control) over the
device, an android device can easily be rooted. Rooting is
installation of the custom ROMS in the device. Android is
open source thus, it is easy to access its code. Making the
changes in the android’s official ROM codemay result in
new ROM’s. There are various pros and cons of rooting a
device as discussed above. The user with full administrator
control is known as a super user. And to be as upper user a user has to root his/her device.
XI. Acknowledgement
We thank our colleagues from IMCOST who provided
insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research,
although they may not agree with all of the
interpretations/conclusions of this paper. We thank Mrs.
Sheeba and Mrs. Apexafor assistance us by providing
proper IEEE formats and all faculties for guiding us.
XII. REFERENCES
[1] Gartner, “Mobile Device Sales Q3 2011,”
November2015. http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1848514 march 16,
2015 2:24pm
[2] X. Jiang, “Ginger Master: First Android Malware
Utilizing a Root Exploit on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread),”
August 2011.
[3] http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/windows-phone-
grows-104-percent-year-over-year-in-q4-2013-abi-
research-478672 march 16, 2015 2:14pm
[4] Android Team, “Platform Versions,” March 20,
20153:20pm.http://developer.android.com/resources/dashb
oard/platform-versions.html
[5] Cyanogen. (2012). Android Community Operating System. Retrieved March, 2014, from
http://www.cyanogenmod.org/
[6] http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/01/custom-
roms-for-android-explained-and-why-you-want-them/
[7] http://forum.cyanogenmod.org/
[8]http://forum.xda-
developers.com/android/general/discussion-cyanogenmod-
13-xiaomi-t3321920
[9] http://stackoverflow.com/questions/7026391/android-
book-for-custom-rom-building
[10] https://www.facebook.com/xda.developers/?fref=ts
[11] http://en.miui.com/forum.php
1. Mr. Saurabh Manjrekar – Currently pursuing
Master’s in Computer Application (Third year) at
ASM’s Institute of Management & Computer
Studies (IMCOST), Mumbai.
2. Mr. Ramesh Bhati – Currently pursuing Master’s in
Computer Application (Third year) at ASM’s
Institute of Management & Computer Studies
(IMCOST), Mumbai.