In part, this is because many of the vulnerabilities that Apple patches in macOS security updates affect WebKit, the rendering engine used by the Safari web browser, Mail, Messages, and other apps. Staying behind on an old macOS version can be risky. Mojave users recently got a wake-up call when Mozilla announced that its Firefox browser will no longer support macOS Mojave starting next month. Apple split iTunes into a number of separate apps the following year with macOS Catalina. Others, who use Macs as home media servers, are still running 2018’s macOS Mojave because they didn’t want to stop using iTunes. If you have an app like this, and it’s important enough to you, you may have stayed behind an old version of macOS to continue using this app. For example, this may be the case for older Intel apps that do not support a 64-bit operating system. Some folks may maintain an older version of macOS specifically to run software that hasn’t been updated for compatibility with the latest macOS version. Why some people avoid upgrading-often unaware of the risks Using an even a months-outdated version of macOS puts you at risk for many serious vulnerabilities and security threats. If you have a Mac that supports macOS Ventura, and haven’t yet updated, you should do so. So while you may still get security updates from Apple, they may in reality be only partial patches that only address a portion of known vulnerabilities. Apple regularly updates the current version of macOS to patch vulnerabilities, but, in our research, we have found that Apple frequently does not fix some known vulnerabilities in previous versions of its operating systems, even the one just prior to the current version. If your Mac cannot run the latest version of macOS, it won’t get all the security updates it needs. While it can be satisfying to use an old Mac for many years to get the most out of your investment, it can also be unsafe. An old Mac still has value, even when it’s completely offline.How to avoid zero-click remote exploits, and nearby remote attacks.How to upgrade an unsupported Mac to the latest macOS version.How can you keep an older Mac running longer, safely?.Which Macs can run the latest version of macOS?.Why some people avoid upgrading-often unaware of the risks.(See also our article about when old iPhones become unsafe to use.) And it’s not all doom and gloom we’ll also discuss how you can breathe new life into an old Mac. Here’s why-and how to know when your old Mac is dangerously out of date. After all, it takes very little computing power to check your email, visit websites, and to do most other common tasks.īut if you keep using a Mac for too long, it may become unsafe to use. Unless you regularly perform processor- or graphics-intensive tasks, such as photo editing, video editing, music production, or gaming, a Mac from several generations ago will be sufficient for your computing needs. Most people don’t feel the need to upgrade their computers often, so it’s not uncommon to see people using ten-year-old Macs. Recommended + Security & Privacy When does an old Mac become unsafe to use?

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