If you own an iPhone that is seven years old or older, you could be at risk of a cyberattack.
Security experts have warned that smartphones manufactured between 2008 and 2014 no longer have software updates that protect users against malware and other exploits.
iPhones that are currently not supported range from the original model to the 6 Plus, but new models are added to the list almost every year.
For example, Apple said that the latest iPhone 15 family will join the obsolete list in 2030.
The alert is because iPhones, from 3 to 6 Plus, are no longer compatible with the latest operating system that includes new security updates, leaving them vulnerable to hackers.
In another blow, Apple’s customer support site also explains that “service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products.”
Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at software company ESE, said Forbes: ‘Older iPhones are still in circulation and once a vulnerability is located, attackers can quickly exploit it and target anyone with unpatched devices.
“If people are using iPhones that don’t have a patch warranty, even though 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 better if they simply threw away the devices.
An iPhone is considered “obsolete” once seven years have passed since Apple stopped selling it.
The last model to join the list was the iPhone 6 Plus in April, which made its debut in 2014.
For those still holding on to the relic of the past of the iPhone 6 Plus, if it breaks, it will be difficult to fix 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 ten years ago for $300, a far cry from the $900 price of the company’s newest 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The outdated list also includes models from the iPhone 3, iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 families.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 obsolete products”, so, according to the expert, owners could also throw their devices in the trash.
New updates typically push Apple users to move away from older phones that can’t support software updates, inadvertently leaving their data vulnerable to cybercriminals.
Moore said hackers don’t typically target older iPhone models because most people have a newer version.
However, an Apple expert told DailyMail.com last year that 250 million iOS users have not updated their iPhones in four years.