Apple introduced a new operating system in September 2021. At the time they said it was not a mandatory update and anyone who wanted to continue using iOS 14 would receive support from them in the future. Apple said that the new system would run on all models that were 6s or newer but that they would continue to supply security upgrades for iOS 14. However, 9to5Mac has revealed that the latest security updates are now only being offered for iOS 15. Without security updates, those people on older phones could now be vulnerable to phishing scams, hackers, and even financial fraudsters.
A good business model?
Tech manufacturers update their systems to improve the functionality, security, and visual appeal of their phones, computers, and consoles. Someone cynical might say that it also ensures built-in obsolescence of older models and means that customers need to constantly trade up for a new one. Many tech giants have been keen to counter this accusation over recent years with older operating systems kept up to date with retrofit patches. For the manufacturers, it is always a trade-off between selling new hardware and making people feel that they are getting value for money from their existing handset.
Apple has moved quickly from saying that iOS 14 would be supported to the fact that it no longer would be. It has pointed out that its September statement did say updates would only be available for a ‘period of time’. Rather cleverly, they didn’t specify that period.
In December 2021 36% of the more than one billion iPhones in circulation globally were running iOS 14. If 64% cannot use the latest system that could be a massive opportunity for new smartphone sales. The risk to Apple is that customers choose a different brand of phone.
Smartphone Security
Our smartphones are an integral part of our lives. We use them for everything from checking the time to paying for our groceries in-store and online. We check up on social media, manage our insurance, play games with friends, visit online casinos, and download apps to learn languages. Most of us store financial information on our phones. It is worth remembering that our data is valuable. Marketers want to know more about us or sell their products. Scammers are also keen to get hold of our information to mis-sell us products or undertake elaborate hoaxes to make us part with our money.
PayPal is a great way to keep your online transactions safe and it is not restricted to any particular hardware supplier or device. Historically, it has been used to transfer money between friends and to pay for goods and services online. It offers its users security by using two-stage authentication. Just being able to log in to your account isn’t good enough. You need to be able to verify who you are to make a transaction.
You can use PayPal for a huge number of online transactions. Many apps that you download for free have in-app purchases and you can link them up to your PayPal account. PayPal links to over 4,000 of the most popular apps available including Mail Chimp, Zoom, and Quick Books for your business needs. For leisure and entertainment, it can be linked up to Discord, loads of betting apps in Australia, and all your favourite cloud gaming apps too.
How to keep your device safe
You can set your device to install updates automatically for peace of mind. This will normally happen overnight and only if the phone is plugged into a power source. You will receive a notification in advance that this is going to happen. There are many ways to look out for scams but having automatic security updates on our phones is by far the easiest way to avoid the risks. If your existing phone cannot use the latest system software is probably time to ditch it and get yourself an up-to-date model.
