How to Detect Hooking (Frida) using Kotlin

Stop runtime attacks before they hijack your Android app.

Hooking frameworks like Frida and Xposed are increasingly popular among attackers trying to manipulate Android apps. From bypassing in-app purchases to stealing sensitive data, hooking is a serious risk.

What is Hooking?

Hooking is the process of intercepting and modifying function calls at runtime. Attackers use frameworks such as Frida, Xposed, or LSPosed to inject custom code into your app. Popular attacker toolkits include:

• frida – runs on the device and enables full dynamic instrumentation

• objection – built on Frida, commonly used for bypassing SSL pinning and root detection

This allows attackers to:

• Bypass license checks or payments

• Steal API keys and user credentials

• Alter logic to gain unfair advantages in apps (e.g., games, banking apps)

Check out freeRASP and RASP+ for industry leading hook detection.

How to Detect Hooking?

Detecting hooking is tricky because frameworks evolve fast and attackers hide their tracks. DIY detection (like searching for suspicious processes or libraries) often fails against advanced obfuscation. That’s why there are many solutions which already provides high level of detection:

• freeRASP (by Talsec) – battle-tested detection of Frida, Xposed, Magisk, and more

• RASP+ (by Talsec) – commercial premium robust protection

These solutions keep pace with new bypass techniques, saving you the burden of chasing attackers.

freeRASP (by Talsec)

• Robust Kotlin SDK that detects Frida, Xposed, Magisk, root, tampering, and more

• Actively updated, trusted by 6000+ apps worldwide

• Simple integration with callbacks for security events

Talsec.start(applicationContext, TalsecConfig(...))

override fun onHookDetected() {
    Log.w("freeRASP", "Hooking (Frida/Xposed) detected!")
    // Respond appropriately: logout user, block actions, alert server, etc.
}

Key Takeaway

Hooking is one of the most dangerous runtime threats to Android apps. Attackers armed with Frida, objection, or frida-trace can change your app’s behavior in seconds—but you can fight back. With freeRASP by Talsec, Kotlin developers get a reliable, lightweight, and continuously updated way to detect and stop hooking attacks before they cause damage.