What happens to your smartphone when you jailbreak or root it?

When a smartphone is jailbroken or rooted, it bypasses the built-in security restrictions imposed by the device's manufacturer. This heightened level of access can make the device more susceptible to app malware. Without these restrictions, malicious applications that would normally be blocked can be installed more easily, potentially compromising the device's operating system and accessing sensitive data.

This opens up opportunities for harmful software to exploit vulnerabilities that are typically protected by the standard security measures in place. While there can be many modifications that one can achieve through jailbreaking or rooting, the trade-off often includes a significant increase in security risks. Hence, the assertion that the smartphone is more vulnerable to app malware is accurate and underscores an important aspect of mobile device security.