Many smartphone users hold onto their devices for years due to budget constraints, environment considerations or simply because they have become too comfortable with their mobile phones. However, using an old device that no longer supports updates comes with significant cybersecurity risks.
First off, it’s important to remember that software updates are different from security fixes. Once your smartphone stops getting software updates, it generally continues to receive security patches.
The number of years for which your mobile phone is eligible for software updates and security patches varies by manufacturer.
After your phone’s OS and hardware are considered obsolete by the device maker, critical security updates are no longer issued. This leaves aging smartphones increasingly vulnerable to new forms of hacking, malware, and fraud.
Here are the many ways obsolete phones put users at a higher risk of cyber attacks and data breaches:
#1 – No Longer Receiving Software & Security Updates
If you have an iPhone, Apple will typically support it with iOS updates up to 5 years after the launch of whichever model you possess. Android users can look forward to software upgrades for anything between 2 and 5 years. At some point, these phones will cease to receive vital OTA (over-the-air) security patches and updates.
Using a device that no longer gets fixes means new vulnerabilities will go unaddressed by the manufacturers. Hackers are able to take advantage of this by exploiting weaknesses in outdated OS systems that will never be patched.
Malware and hacking techniques specifically designed to compromise old mobile OS versions will be effective under these circumstances. Critical fixes for emerging privacy and security issues will not be sent as updates for installation. This expanding susceptibility leaves owners of older smartphones wide open as targets of cyber attacks through unresolved flaws in obsolete operating systems.
Can’t Run Latest Security Apps
On top of lacking current OS protections, older smartphones are often not able to run newly released security apps and malware protections. The latest versions of antivirus apps, firewalls, VPNs, and other security software require up-to-date operating systems to function adequately. This excludes users of unsupported mobile devices from bolstering their defenses against emerging threats with new cybersecurity tools and updates.
#2 – Vulnerabilities in Older Hardware
Certain hardware vulnerabilities, like the well-known Qualcomm Snapdragon chip flaw, can affect older smartphones, making them susceptible to attacks that newer models are protected against.
Yes, Qualcomm already issued a fix for it. Unfortunately, it was up to device manufacturers to roll out the solution. And considering that “hundreds of millions” of phones were potentially affected by the bug, it’s possible that not everyone received the patch.
#3 – Stuck With Apps Plagued by Known Vulnerabilities
Mobile apps also pose threats when they are not periodically updated. Developers routinely stop providing support and patches for older apps with known issues. Using aged versions of social media, banking, shopping, and other similar applications means that vulnerabilities will remain unaddressed indefinitely.
Developers identify and announce weaknesses in apps to encourage updating, but this does little good for users of obsolete mobile phones stuck with old app versions that cannot be updated due to OS constraints.
Hackers are fully aware of these vulnerabilities in abandoned iterations of mobile apps and they actively exploit them to breach accounts, steal data, and infiltrate networks through unpatched security gaps.
For example, browsers on old smartphones may not support updated SSL/TLS protocols, leaving users open to users to man-in-the-middle attacks.
Weak Encryption Standards
On top of known flaws, outdated apps used on older smartphones often rely on weak, outdated encryption standards. This exposes stored data and communications to being more easily intercepted by bad actors. The lack of software support results in apps lagging behind in the implementation of modern data protection protocols.
Take for example old phones using the WEP standard for WiFi — they are more easily hacked compared to devices embracing newer WPA3 standards.
#4 – Unauthorized Access via Forgotten Permissions
Legacy security settings and permissions found on aging mobile devices frequently leave doors open for unauthorized access as well. The default passwords, sign-in options, and access controls set by the manufacturer remain unchanged indefinitely without updates.
Users often continue to employ the same insecure default credentials once their apps become obsolete. Outdated access permissions may easily grant access and control privileges to apps that may no longer be safe. These lingering weaknesses enable intruders to easily hack accounts, gain admin controls, and infiltrate older smartphone systems.
Malware Infections
With extensive vulnerabilities and low-security barriers, malware represents a prevalent threat to users of older phones. Viruses, spyware, and other malicious software thrive on outdated systems. Infections can secretly destroy data, track activity, record information, and spread to other devices. Once malware resides on antique mobile platforms, the lack of software updates prevents removal or mitigation.
Benefits of Swapping Out Your Old Mobile Phone for Security Purposes
While ditching an old trusted smartphone may be a hard decision, acquiring a replacement offers several advantages:
- Newer devices running on Android and iOS are supported with the latest security patches and updates for years after release. This ensures that emerging threats are promptly addressed.
- With more and more people surfing the web on mobile devices these days, the encryption standards for the same are continually being improved to prevent hacking and data theft.
- Multi-factor authentication options which include fingerprint and facial recognition help protect phones from being easily accessed by bad actors.
- Default privacy settings and permissions are stronger in newer OS versions and apps.
- System resources and configurations are more robust these days against malware and hacking attempts.
- Embedded hardware security chips in newer devices are useful for thwarting potential breaches.
Bottom line
While clinging to outdated mobile devices is quite a common practice, the significant security risks it poses may leave users exposed to unnecessary cybersecurity risks. Once a smartphone stops receiving support, unchecked vulnerabilities open the door for all sorts of cyber attacks ranging from hacking to identity theft.
Retiring older phones in favor of models that are powered by the latest security patches is a safe bet if you are worried about data privacy. You should remain constantly vigilant if you decide to stick with using an outdated device in spite of being aware of the associated risks.
