iPod touch 4th Gen iPod touch Question

[Yebubbleman]

Dumb question, but I'm thinking of buying a 64GB 4th Generation iPod touch from the Refurbished iPod section of the Apple Online Store. I'm planning on using it primarily as a media player and only using the stock apps. I was wondering the following:

Given that it tops out at iOS 6.1.6 and is therefore as behind on security updates as iOS 7.0.6 was, how at-risk to security issues am I? I was thinking of at least setting up Apple Mail and using Safari (along with the iTunes store so I can conveniently download past purchases via iTunes-in-the-Cloud), but again, likely not downloading any apps.

I get the feeling that security is really only an issue if there's data that I'm worried about being compromised. I guess e-mail and my AppleID along with iMessage and FaceTime are things to want security for, but am I really that much at risk for using those things on iOS 6.1.6? And if so, what sorts of perils might befall me?

 

[na1577]

The most recent major security hole is the SSL bug which was fixed in iOS 6.1.6. However, I would strongly recommend waiting until the 64 GB fifth generation touch is back in stock. It's $239 which is only $20 more than the 64 GB 4th gen. If security is your primary concern, then it would be best to stay as up to date as possible. The difference in speed is also quite significant.

 

[Yebubbleman]

The most recent major security hole is the SSL bug which was fixed in iOS 6.1.6. However, I would strongly recommend waiting until the 64 GB fifth generation touch is back in stock. It's $239 which is only $20 more than the 64 GB 4th gen. If security is your primary concern, then it would be best to stay as up to date as possible. The difference in speed is also quite significant.

Security isn't my primary concern. I already have a 64GB 5th Gen iPod touch and right now that's used for all my apps. The 64GB 4th Gen iPod touch would be used solely for media and wouldn't be used for apps beyond the stock apps. The only reason why I ask about security is that if there are any major risks, I would do as you say and just get another 64GB 5th Gen iPod touch for this purpose instead. However, solely as a media player, I doubt I'll really care about the differences between the A4 and the A5. Plus, iOS 6 is prettier.

 

[robertosh]

However, solely as a media player, I doubt I'll really care about the differences between the A4 and the A5. Plus, iOS 6 is prettier.

Even only as a music player, the 4th Gen with music Match is almost unusable...

 

[warpoholic]

Whaattt?

Even only as a music player, the 4th Gen with music Match is almost unusable...

Sorry I don't get that statement. I'm using the 4th gen daily.
Never upgrade it, since I'm waiting FOREVER for a 128GB iPod Touch.

It is totally fine as a music player and has awesome battery-life after all the years.
The camera sucks. Surfing the web can be problematic, but for the rest it's still a great device. I was recently even watching some series on it, because I did not want to bring my MacBook along.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Even only as a music player, the 4th Gen with music Match is almost unusable...

I wasn't going to use iTunes Match. I was going to hook it up to iTunes and sync music to it the old fashioned way. Same with videos. I would literally be using this thing for Music, Videos, maybe photos, and E-mail. That's it. Nothing else. The whole point of my original question is that, given these uses and the fact that I'm not downloading ANY apps, does the fact that I'd be on iOS 6.1.6 pose any threat to security (when it comes to data on the device such as my e-mail credentials, e-mails, photos, or any other such items) or is that, for my purposes a total non-issue. It seems like it would be a total non-issue, but I want to double-check to be sure.

Sorry I don't get that statement. I'm using the 4th gen daily.
Never upgrade it, since I'm waiting FOREVER for a 128GB iPod Touch.

It is totally fine as a music player and has awesome battery-life after all the years.
The camera sucks. Surfing the web can be problematic, but for the rest it's still a great device. I was recently even watching some series on it, because I did not want to bring my MacBook along.

The person you are replying to is referring to the 4th generation iPod touch running the latest version of iOS that will run on it (6.1.6). If you haven't updated yours to that version, I fail to see how your reported mileage is of any fair comparison.

 

[warpoholic]

iPod touch 4th generation, running 6.1.6

Sorry, my writing was messy. It was late yesterday.
I dit not upgrade to a new iPod, but I do all the software upgrades.

Actually I'm using my iPod Touch with 6.1.6.
I'm streaming through WiMP, but I'm not using Match.
WiMP sometimes gets a bit slow but is pretty stable.

I'm not using a lot of app's, WeeChat for example was draining my battery.

The usage you are aiming to will not be a problem at all.

Tough personally I would not buy a 4th gen but rather a 5th gen, if I would have to replace my faithful little friend.