Older devices don’t get comprehensive security updates
Old Apple operating systems receive periodic updates to patch security vulnerabilities, but Apple says only the latest OS updates are fully protected.
According to a new support document first covered by Ars Technica, Apple says that only the most recent operating systems have the most comprehensive security patches. In older systems, vulnerabilities are still patched, but not everything.
The support document’s purpose is meant to define the difference between a software update and an upgrade, but information about security patches is included. It briefly mentions that older macOS versions aren’t as protected as the most recent major release.
For the average user, the best way to stay protected from vulnerabilities is to use the latest hardware updated to the latest available software. But, not everyone always upgrades their OS right when the latest and greatest version launches.
For devices that can run the latest software, users sometimes decide to wait for a stable release or for work-related apps to become compatible. Apple tends to release a handful of support updates to older systems even when the new OS has launched.
