Need root to access certain files?

[Jemjemejeremy]

I'm doing research on android security, and i realised i can use adb to pull files from /data/data. These files includes SMS databases and sharedpref.

Now I have root on my n1, so I'm wondering if this is possible because of root?

Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

 

[Hollow.Droid]

I'm not sure about that specific directory but I do know there are certain system folders/files that can only be modified with root access. Certain apps like Titanium backup use root access to pull apks from root only folders, without root they simply can't function.

 

[RogerPodacter]

It's only possible because of root access. Without root you can't get to the sensitive info like that.

 

[fubaya]

Yep, both /data and /data/data have permissions set to drwxrwx--x, meaning root has read/write/execute permissions, the system group has it too and regular users only have execute permissions.

 

[Jemjemejeremy]

Thanks all, for your input. Much appreciated!

Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

 

[codesplice]

Yep, both /data and /data/data have permissions set to drwxrwx--x, meaning root has read/write/execute permissions, the system group has it too and regular users only have execute permissions.

To be more accurate, the "drwxrwx--x" (or 771) permission indicates the OWNER's permissions, then the GROUP permissions, and then EVERYONE. root will have the same permissions as the owner.