Question about scanning without Device Admin enabled

[fctr828]

Dear Malwarebytes,

I would like to ask about the "Device Administrator" option in Malwarebytes for Android app. I understand that this option exists mainly in order to prevent MB being uninstalled by malware and to assist the user during ransomware attack. 

My question is, does this option also affect the Malwarebytes ability to scan the apps installed in the system root partition? That is, is there a possibility that if the user does not grant the Device Administrator privileges then MB won't have enough permissions to scan the content of the system partition, and malware that installs disguising itself as a system app might go unscanned and undetected?

I apologize if this was already asked and answered before; I tried searching the forums but couldn't find clarification in this matter.

Thank you!

[mbam_mtbr]

Hi @fctr828,

Device administration is needed for ransomware remediation.  Also, device admin rights protect Malwarebytes for Android from being uninstalled by malware.

To answer your question, no, Malwarebytes for Android does not need device administration rights to scan.  It will continue to scan system apps without those rights.  If you would prefer to not give Malwarebytes for Android device administration rights and forgo protection from ransomware, our application will continue to run without those rights.

Nathan

[fctr828]

Hi @mbam_mtbr

Thank you for the clarification, I appreciate it!