[Q] My "kernel" is wrong. Please help me understand!

[Mellowmarrow]

Note 3 (SM-N900W8)
Android 4.4.4
CyanogenMod 11-20140916-SNAPSHOT-M10-hlte

I don't fully understand what words mean or how things connect. I'll explain what I think I know. Please help correct me and fill in the gaps.

Root
I bought the device, and rooted it. To my understanding, all this means is Linux gives me administrative permission to access all files on the hard drive, at the risk of damaging the things I shouldn't be touching.

ROM
Next, I "flashed a ROM". I believe this means I installed a different operating system, and the "ROM" is CyanogenMod.
I believe CyanogenMod is just a copy of Android that a group of people customized in their own way.

The issue
When I turn on my device, it says in big red letters,
KERNEL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING

The big issue here is, I don't understand what a kernel is. I wholeheartedly believe the message to be accurate, but it just doesn't make sense in my head.

I'd like to get rid of this message, but the first step is understanding what a kernel is!
(I've done some research, but every guide seems to assume I'm a hacker - they use terminology way above my head.)

 

[rpenrod23]

Note 3 (SM-N900W8)
Android 4.4.4
CyanogenMod 11-20140916-SNAPSHOT-M10-hlte

I don't fully understand what words mean or how things connect. I'll explain what I think I know. Please help correct me and fill in the gaps.

Root
I bought the device, and rooted it. To my understanding, all this means is Linux gives me administrative permission to access all files on the hard drive, at the risk of damaging the things I shouldn't be touching.

ROM
Next, I "flashed a ROM". I believe this means I installed a different operating system, and the "ROM" is CyanogenMod.
I believe CyanogenMod is just a copy of Android that a group of people customized in their own way.

The issue
When I turn on my device, it says in big red letters,
KERNEL IS NOT SEANDROID ENFORCING

The big issue here is, I don't understand what a kernel is. I wholeheartedly believe the message to be accurate, but it just doesn't make sense in my head.

I'd like to get rid of this message, but the first step is understanding what a kernel is!
(I've done some research, but every guide seems to assume I'm a hacker - they use terminology way above my head.)

All this means is that your kernel is not "Samsung approved" to run your OS (ROM). You are receiving this "error" because of the kernel that is included with the ROM you are running. It (should) have no bearing on the operation/function of the ROM you are currently running and can safely be ignored.

You should also see a similar error when you boot into recovery except it will say "recovery is not seandroid enforcing". This can also be ignored since the recovery you are using is not "approved" by a Samsung.

These errors are thanks to Knox, implemented by Samsung in the newer versions of Android. Google Samsung Knox to learn more.

Add'l reading:

Kernel
Samsung Knox