Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
eah, well Wi-Fi has been around for over ten years now and this flaw has just now been discovered. There is literally NO WAY to “get this stuff right to begin with

Sure there is "no way" when you have a defeatist attitude like that. People have gotten lazy with a rush-it-out-the-door we-can-fix-it-later policy. I fundamentally disagree with that way of doing business and fundamentally disagree with you that stuff cannot be gotten right in the first place. Don't buy that for a second.

Again, this stuff has to be done right the first time for the simple reason that we are leaving a wreckage of swiss cheese vulnerability holes behind us as more and more products end up out there in the marketplace that will never be patched.
 
Again one appreciates the iOS/macOS ecosystem with patches coming for units going back to iPhone 5S. Good luck to those on Android, patch for a majority of those devices will probably stay as vapourware till the end of time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Agent2015
Ok, I’m one of those “grammas” being talked about on here. I’m a very good user of my iPad/Mac but don’t understand a lot of what you are saying here. I do understand that my iPhone/ipad/Mac will get updated but my Sony Smart tv/Pioneer Receiver/printer will not. And so what I don’t understand is...without updates to those devices not updated, will that make banking information that I enter on my (updated) MBP, subject to be hacked?
 
So you have an expectation that a company should pour money and resources into a product forever? At what point do you think it's fair to stop supporting an older device? These devices are already over 4 years old. A what time can they stop dumping money into a product they get nothing in return from?

I think if you re-read my post, you'll see that I'm quite clear that I do NOT expect security updates "forever." It's definitely a line-drawing problem. But what you are characterizing as "over 4 years old" I would say is more like 2 because that's when they STOPPED selling the iPhone 5c - in sept 2015.

So yes, I do expect them to offer basic security patches for products that were still being sold new in Apple stores 2 years ago, no matter when those products were first introduced.

Now, exactly how far back should they go? I'm sure reasonable minds could differ... We'd probably all agree it isn't reasonable to expect a patch for the handful of iPhone 2g units out there still acting as daily drivers on iOS 3, but it doesn't therefore follow that we cut off every OS prior to the current one. Millions of people still use A5 and A6 devices on a daily basis. I think it's not asking too much to ask Apple to patch back to iOS 9, but 10 at the absolute very least.

Remember, we're talking a little coding to patch a single vulnerability, not some custom built lite version of iOS 11 or anything like that. One bug fix. It's honestly just not that big of an ask.
 
I think I’m confused, is this about the clients (our devices...) or is this about the WiFi security itself? As in, does my AirPort Extreme need an update?

The vulnerability I believe is due to the ability to reuse an encryption key, this can be fixed at the device (don't reuse encryption keys) or the router (don't accept previously used encryption key).
 
  • Like
Reactions: JamesPDX
Why do lightbulbs, toasters, and fridges need to be updated? Do you purchase things with your CC through them? maybe it would be a concern if it's handshaking with a password and account you use for everything. Or maybe I just don't understand the impact of these vunerabilities.
Because the attack vector would allow the attacker to send data as the client.
 
are you sure that El Cap does not get an update?

Not sure,, but usually Apple prefers to support one OS lower not two.. at least... based on history... It *would* give Apple an reason to say "upgrade"

When u can't even download El capitan anymore from the App Store... its on its way out.
 
iOS 11 doesn't help my iPad 2, iPod 3rd Gen, or my iPhone 4S. Apple as a ethical responsibility to provide patches to all of these devices.

That’s fairly melodramatic, and definitely unreasonable. If they have a moral obligation to keep all of your iOS devices safe, forever, then I also want my original iPhone updated as well. Otherwise it’s not fair!

Hang on...just off to check that I do in fact have a birthright to everything I want. BRB.
 
Desktop vs mobile are two totally different animals. Linux keeps 32-bit support around because many server setups are built on them. A server setup is designed for different reasons than a personal smartphone.
I know. As I said, it was just an interesting sidenote on 32-bit technology. There's no need to defend your position; I wasn't disagreeing with you.
Mobile devices have a far shorter lifespan than desktop, especially in the server environment.
This sentence doesn't make sense, specifically the bolded part.
 
If this to be true: sad.



Are you sure? A few days ago I saw El Capitan in "purchases"
Only if you have downloaded it before, and it is hidden, I spent three hours looking for it and Sierra on machines last week Thursday, if you did not download it before you cannot now.
 
Only if you have downloaded it before, and it is hidden, I spent three hours looking for it and Sierra on machines last week Thursday, if you did not download it before you cannot now.

Should I look if I can download it?

I am currently using a Windows 10 machine.
 
So you have an expectation that a company should pour money and resources into a product forever? At what point do you think it's fair to stop supporting an older device? These devices are already over 4 years old. A what time can they stop dumping money into a product they get nothing in return from?

Tell that to someone who bought a new iPhone 5c just under two years ago? I get where you're coming from, but I think there is an obligation to patch such a serious vulnerability for a device that's been off the market for less than two years. I predict that Apple will come through with a patch for iOS 10.x.

Ok, I’m one of those “grammas” being talked about on here. I’m a very good user of my iPad/Mac but don’t understand a lot of what you are saying here. I do understand that my iPhone/ipad/Mac will get updated but my Sony Smart tv/Pioneer Receiver/printer will not. And so what I don’t understand is...without updates to those devices not updated, will that make banking information that I enter on my (updated) MBP, subject to be hacked?

I wouldn't panic just yet. The tech industry is still wrapping their heads around this issue. As devices receive patches, the focus will turn to devices that are not being patched, and in turn what we should do to minimize or mitigate risk from those unpatched devices. I actually predict that this is a serious enough issue to motivate manufacturers to patch a lot of smart devices released in recent years, but it may take a little while.

In the meantime, just update promptly when your Mac/iPad/iPhone offers you an update.
 
  • Like
Reactions: urnotl33t
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.