Tech expert issues warning about Apple’s ‘obsolete’ iPhones: ‘Just throw them away’
If you own an iPhone that is seven years or older, you may be at risk of a cyber attack.
Security experts have warned that smartphones made between 2008 and 2014 will no longer be supported by software updates that protect users from malware and other exploits.
The iPhones that aren’t currently supported go from the original model to the 6 Plus, but new models are added to the list almost every year.
For example, Apple said the latest iPhone 15 family will appear on the legacy list in 2030.
The warning is due to the fact that iPhones ranging from the 3 to the 6 Plus no longer support the latest operating system that includes new security updates, making them vulnerable to hackers
In another blow, Apple’s customer service site also explains that “service providers cannot order parts for outdated products.”
Jake Moore, the global cybersecurity consultant at software company ESE, said Forbes: ‘Older iPhones are still in circulation and once a vulnerability is located, it can be quickly exploited by attackers and targeted to anyone whose devices are not yet patched.
“If people are using iPhones that are out of patch guarantee – even if it’s frustrating – they should consider replacing them with a newer, more secure device.”
Moore even went so far as to tell users that it would be best if they just threw the devices away.
An iPhone is considered “obsolete” once it has passed seven years since Apple stopped selling it.
The latest model to be added to the list was the iPhone 6 Plus in April, which made its debut in 2014.
For those still clinging to the iPhone 6 Plus relic of the past, if this one breaks you’ll have a hard time fixing it because in addition to making the device obsolete, Apple has also stopped producing parts for the smartphone.
The iPhone 6 Plus was first released a decade ago for $300, which is a far cry from the $900 price tag of the company’s latest iPhone 15 Plus.
The news that the iPhone 6 Plus is becoming obsolete comes as Apple prepares to roll out the iOS 18 update in the fall.
The outdated list also includes models from the iPhone 3, iPhone 4, and iPhone 5 families.
Apple’s customer service site also explains that “service providers cannot order parts for outdated products,” with the expert saying owners might as well throw their devices away
New updates generally cause Apple users to switch from older phones that cannot support the software updates, inadvertently leaving their data open to cybercriminals.
Moore said hackers typically don’t target older iPhone models because most people have newer versions.
However, an Apple expert told DailyMail.com last year that 250 million iOS users have not upgraded their iPhones in four years.
