iPhone 4 Vulnerability?
August 26, 2016 2:57 AM Subscribe
In light of the recently revealed iPhone exploit, how vulnerable is an old iPhone 4? Because it can't be updated past iOS 7, I assume Apple isn't releasing a patch (indeed, I checked the software update and there was nothing available). Does this mean I absolutely have to upgrade my hardware?
My old iPhone 4 works great still, and does everything I need it to. I'd rather not upgrade unless absolutely essential. I guess my questions are:
1. Would keeping my old phone be like running internet-connected Windows 95 these days? I mainly use my phone for email, WhatsApp and looking things up on the internet... I rarely install new apps. But would I be vulnerable through scripts being executed on webpages, for example?
2. If I do need to upgrade, and I don't want to spend the money for the latest and fanciest model, what used iPhone model would have the longest "usable life" (i.e. the most time until Apple discontinues supporting it). I really don't need any features beyond what the iPhone 4 has.
My old iPhone 4 works great still, and does everything I need it to. I'd rather not upgrade unless absolutely essential. I guess my questions are:
1. Would keeping my old phone be like running internet-connected Windows 95 these days? I mainly use my phone for email, WhatsApp and looking things up on the internet... I rarely install new apps. But would I be vulnerable through scripts being executed on webpages, for example?
2. If I do need to upgrade, and I don't want to spend the money for the latest and fanciest model, what used iPhone model would have the longest "usable life" (i.e. the most time until Apple discontinues supporting it). I really don't need any features beyond what the iPhone 4 has.
I think that if you disabled JavaScript and Java on your phone it might be a lot more secure. I put this here in case other people have contrary information.
Google results for [how to disable scripting on iPhone 4].
posted by amtho at 6:40 AM on August 26, 2016
Google results for [how to disable scripting on iPhone 4].
posted by amtho at 6:40 AM on August 26, 2016
iPhones don't run java, so don't worry about that one.
posted by blue_beetle at 7:44 AM on August 26, 2016
posted by blue_beetle at 7:44 AM on August 26, 2016
No, it's nothing like running out of date Windows. Assuming you're not an obvious target, security risk, or celebrity you shouldn't even think twice about it.
posted by tillsbury at 12:53 PM on August 26, 2016
posted by tillsbury at 12:53 PM on August 26, 2016
I have an iPhone 4s, and the update was available for me.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:11 PM on August 26, 2016
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 7:11 PM on August 26, 2016
If I do need to upgrade, and I don't want to spend the money for the latest and fanciest model, what used iPhone model would have the longest "usable life" (i.e. the most time until Apple discontinues supporting it). I really don't need any features beyond what the iPhone 4 has.
The iPhone 5S was the first model to ship with a 64 bit CPU and, realistically, you're probably going to want at least that going forward.
But, if you really want to buy a long lasting phone, I would wait a few months until the iPhone 7 (or whatever Apple calls it) is announced and shipping in quantity. At that point many, many people will be trading in their iPhones 6 and 6S and good quality ones should be plentiful and relatively inexpensive (as these things go) on the used market. That is what I would buy to set myself up for the long term, noting that Apple will likely keep selling the 6S for at least another year and supporting it for long after that. Sometimes the cheapest deal in the short term isn't the best deal in the long term, right?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:13 PM on August 27, 2016
The iPhone 5S was the first model to ship with a 64 bit CPU and, realistically, you're probably going to want at least that going forward.
But, if you really want to buy a long lasting phone, I would wait a few months until the iPhone 7 (or whatever Apple calls it) is announced and shipping in quantity. At that point many, many people will be trading in their iPhones 6 and 6S and good quality ones should be plentiful and relatively inexpensive (as these things go) on the used market. That is what I would buy to set myself up for the long term, noting that Apple will likely keep selling the 6S for at least another year and supporting it for long after that. Sometimes the cheapest deal in the short term isn't the best deal in the long term, right?
posted by LastOfHisKind at 12:13 PM on August 27, 2016
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2. 5s
posted by LoveHam at 4:20 AM on August 26, 2016 [3 favorites]