Very Important Question: How To Keep High Sierra Secure???

[timidpimpin]

Thank you so much for all of your replies! The MacRumors Community means so much to me.

What about this situation:
I'm using a Bit Torrent client to download completely legal files like Linux distributions and since I'm connected to other users downloading/uploading the Bit Torrent file these other users will be able to see that I'm running MacOS High Sierra which isn't receiving security updates, which would make me vulnerable to attack?

My web browser isn't the avenue of attack at all in this situation so even if I'm running the latest web browser I'm still vulnerable to attack...

The most anyone will ever be able to see is what Torrent client you're using, but not your OS. And Transmission is available on literally every OS out there.

As I already mention... this has only been a concern because you don't understand the fundamentals of what you're using. Knowledge is the most powerful tool on earth, and we all need more of it. Especially when it comes to things we use daily.

Also, as I already mentioned. You can easily shoehorn Mojave or Catalina onto a 2011 mini. Not complicated at all. I run High Sierra on an 09 mini, which isn't supported, and it runs great.

macOS Mojave Patcher

macOS Catalina Patcher

 

[camelia]

The most anyone will ever be able to see is what Torrent client you're using, but not your OS. And Transmission is available on literally every OS out there.

As I already mention... this has only been a concern because you don't understand the fundamentals of what you're using. Knowledge is the most powerful tool on earth, and we all need more of it. Especially when it comes to things we use daily.

Also, as I already mentioned. You can easily shoehorn Mojave or Catalina onto a 2011 mini. Not complicated at all. I run High Sierra on an 09 mini, which isn't supported, and it runs great.

macOS Mojave Patcher

macOS Catalina Patcher

Thank for the links

Came

 

[Nedstah]

Part of the reason many of OP’s thread go on for pages is because of the infighting in the responses.

We can go back and forth on this ad nauseam, but it doesn’t help answer the question.

The question has been answered on other threads. My suggestion: You've done your part, let it go.

 

[Nedstah]

Desperate Help Needed: How To Save Videos From Websites?

Hey guys, I'm not going to be downloading anything illegal or breaking any laws so there's no need to be concerned. The longer I wait to figure this problem out the more videos are deleted from websites and that means I'm unable to see them ever again... 😢 😥 😓 Thank you so much for any advice!

forums.macrumors.com

Hey guys,

I'm not going to be downloading anything illegal or breaking any laws so there's no need to be concerned.

The longer I wait to figure this problem out the more videos are deleted from websites and that means I'm unable to see them ever again... 😢 😥 😓

Thank you so much for any advice!

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

The most anyone will ever be able to see is what Torrent client you're using, but not your OS. And Transmission is available on literally every OS out there.

As I already mention... this has only been a concern because you don't understand the fundamentals of what you're using. Knowledge is the most powerful tool on earth, and we all need more of it. Especially when it comes to things we use daily.

Also, as I already mentioned. You can easily shoehorn Mojave or Catalina onto a 2011 mini. Not complicated at all. I run High Sierra on an 09 mini, which isn't supported, and it runs great.

macOS Mojave Patcher

macOS Catalina Patcher

Timidpimpin, thank you for your reply!

I think you're definitely correct about me needing more knowledge about what the hardware/software I'm using so I know what's secure and what isn't.

Trust me, this is something I want to work on.

Where is this information visible? I cannot see any data like this in Transmission.

I thought a person's OS was viewable in Bit Torrent clients?

 

[timidpimpin]

@BeautifulWoman_1984
Trust me... your OS isn't visible to anyone, and the only way they can even see what client you're using is if you belong to a private torrent tracker. If all you're seeding and downloading are legal public Torrents, then you're literally at no risk.

I've been a BSD developer since the 80's, and a Mac user since the early 90's. I know what I speak of, and I'm literally 100% sure about what I have told you. You're at no risk.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

and the only way they can even see what client you're using is if you belong to a private torrent tracker.

Just for what it's worth, this isn't quite true, your client is still visible to peers on public trackers. They can't see your OS though, and I agree with the thrust of your post.

 

[timidpimpin]

Just for what it's worth, this isn't quite true, your client is still visible to peers on public trackers. They can't see your OS though, and I agree with the thrust of your post.

You're actually totally right about that. I misspoke. Thanks for adding clarity.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Timidpimpin, thank you for your reply!

I think you're definitely correct about me needing more knowledge about what the hardware/software I'm using so I know what's secure and what isn't.

Trust me, this is something I want to work on.


I thought a person's OS was viewable in Bit Torrent clients?

Do you not have evidence that it's visible?

 

[timidpimpin]

I'm currently downloading a torrent, and this is all the info provided about the seeder, and there is no way to expand this info.

This is all they see:

 

[timidpimpin]

An after thought... you should also consider using a VPN, as it offers a different IP address and location to the public. It will also keep all your internet activity encrypted from your ISP, and any site/server you ever visit. I use one constantly. It only slows your speed by 5-10%, and only costs a few buck a month.

If you decide to get a VPN... just avoid NordVPN. They've had server breaches more than once.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thank you for your replies timidpimpin and Mr_Brightside!

I'm trying to create a list of things I need to do to keep my Mac Mini mid2011 running High Sierra as secure as possible.

List:
---Keep the web browser I'm using updated constantly whether I'm using Safari or Google Chrome or Firefox or Opera
---Assuming Apple keeps releasing security updates for High Sierra: Keep updating High Sierra as often as possible
---....?

What else is there I can do to secure High Sierra on my Mac Mini mid 2011?

Any additions would be very welcome!

EDIT:

Do you not have evidence that it's visible?

Just for what it's worth, this isn't quite true, your client is still visible to peers on public trackers. They can't see your OS though, and I agree with the thrust of your post.

It may not be visible within the Bit Torrent client itself, but my web browser/OS is visible on the forum of private trackers...

 

[timidpimpin]

Thank you for your replies timidpimpin and Mr_Brightside!

I'm trying to create a list of things I need to do to keep my Mac Mini mid2011 running High Sierra as secure as possible.

List:
---Keep the web browser I'm using updated constantly whether I'm using Safari or Google Chrome or Firefox or Opera
---Assuming Apple keeps releasing security updates for High Sierra: Keep updating High Sierra as often as possible
---....?

What else is there I can do to secure High Sierra on my Mac Mini mid 2011?

Any additions would be very welcome!

You should stop using Safari, because it's no longer supported on High Sierra, and you also shouldn't expect anymore updates to the OS. I'm not saying they won't, but I'd be surprised if they did release more updates. It's 3 years old now, and if you look at macOS update history, they always seem to stop support around the 3 year mark. Plus if they were going to continue High Sierra support, then they would have updated Safari with the recent security update, and they didn't.

I recommend Firefox because it gets security updates far more frequently than any other browser. As a software developer I can assure you it's the most secure browser on the market. Web security if far more important for the average user vs OS security.

Lastly... just chill out... you're far too worried about things that cause me little to no concern. Stop being worried, and educate yourself. It's a natural human condition to fear the unknown, but something can only stay unknown if you allow it to.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

You should stop using Safari, because it's no longer supported on High Sierra, and you also shouldn't expect anymore updates to the OS. I'm not saying they won't, but I'd be surprised if they did release more updates. It's 3 years old now, and if you look at macOS update history, they always seem to stop support around the 3 year mark. Plus if they were going to continue High Sierra support, then they would have updated Safari with the recent security update, and they didn't.

I recommend Firefox because it gets security updates far more frequently than any other browser. As a software developer I can assure you it's the most secure browser on the market. Web security if far more important for the average user vs OS security.

Lastly... just chill out... you're far too worried about things that cause me little to no concern. Stop being worried, and educate yourself. It's a natural human condition to fear the unknown, but something can only stay unknown if you allow it to.

Thank you for your reply Timidpimpin!

I double checked and High Sierra just received a security update on the 24th of Sept 2020:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.

support.apple.com

But you still think High Sierra won't receive any more security updates? I'm not worried about updates to High Sierra's GUI and I'm only concerned with security updates for High Sierra.

EDIT:
List additions:
--Block Apps from accessing the Internet

 

[timidpimpin]

Thank you for your reply Timidpimpin!

I double checked and High Sierra just received a security update on the 24th of Sept 2020:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.

support.apple.com

But you still think High Sierra won't receive any more security updates? I'm not worried about updates to High Sierra's GUI and I'm only concerned with security updates for High Sierra.

I'm well aware of that update, as I installed it, and it didn't include a Safari update. That will likely be the last update ever. And what are you talking about when you say GUI updates? That makes no sense.

Just use Firefox, and most importantly... chill out.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thank you for your reply Timidpimpin!

When I said "GUI updates" I just meant cosmetic changes to the OS which is something I'm not worried about. I'm only worried about security updates.

 

[MarkC426]

So, just to be clear are you using MacOS on a Mac or windows on a PC?
Your different threads contradict what you want....... 🤔

Your other thread is asking about Windows video dl software on PC?

 

[timidpimpin]

Thank you for your reply Timidpimpin!

When I said "GUI updates" I just meant cosmetic changes to the OS which is something I'm not worried about. I'm only worried about security updates.

GUI updates never really happen within the same OS release. 10.13.0 looks exactly the same as 10.13.6.

 

[vasim]

Thank you so much for all of your replies! The MacRumors Community means so much to me.

What about this situation:
I'm using a Bit Torrent client to download completely legal files like Linux distributions and since I'm connected to other users downloading/uploading the Bit Torrent file these other users will be able to see that I'm running MacOS High Sierra which isn't receiving security updates, which would make me vulnerable to attack?

My web browser isn't the avenue of attack at all in this situation so even if I'm running the latest web browser I'm still vulnerable to attack...

But if you worry to download legal Linux distros why don’t you download them from their original sources but you use torrents? And why don’t you use one of these distributions to download other legal distributions through their torrent clients? It seems so weird to me ...

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Thank you for your replies guys!

I know this may seem like a tedious problem, but believe me, this problem of High Sierra not receiving security updates is a very serious problem for me!

So, just to be clear are you using MacOS on a Mac or windows on a PC?
Your different threads contradict what you want....... 🤔

Your other thread is asking about Windows video dl software on PC?

Right now I don't have access to a Mac. I have a Mac Mini mid2011 that I'm currently trying to repair and get running again.

I've got a very low powered laptop from 2008/2009 that's running Windows 10 with all the recent updates so I just find it strange that Apple can't keep releasing security updates for my Mac Mini mid2011...

But if you worry to download legal Linux distros why don’t you download them from their original sources but you use torrents? And why don’t you use one of these distributions to download other legal distributions through their torrent clients? It seems so weird to me ...

I trust downloading via torrents because when there are many people seeding a particular torrent(hundreds of seeders or more) I can have a fairly certain idea that they're seeding a file that's not malicious.

 

[MarkC426]

If and when you do get the mini up and running, there probably will not be any High Sierra updates.
Big Sur is due imminently, at which point HS updates will cease (as is always the case).

The way Microcrap deal with updates is irrelevant to Apple.

 

[avz]

I've got a very low powered laptop from 2008/2009 that's running Windows 10 with all the recent updates so I just find it strange that Apple can't keep releasing security updates for my Mac Mini mid2011...

Apple is a business and it is their job to entice you to buy new products.

I don't agree with "a new macOS every year" (hardware does not change that often) policy but bigger changes, like transitioning to Apple Silicon definitely justifies a new macOS.

My Late 2008 MacBook can run Mojave/Catalina with the latest security patches(if that's what you really care about), so there is nothing special about your Windows laptop(there is a good reason why it is highly unlikely that somebody will give you $20 for it). Your point would have made a bit more sense if Microsoft still provided updates for Windows 7.

 

[timidpimpin]

Thank you for your replies guys!

I know this may seem like a tedious problem, but believe me, this problem of High Sierra not receiving security updates is a very serious problem for me!



Right now I don't have access to a Mac. I have a Mac Mini mid2011 that I'm currently trying to repair and get running again.

I've got a very low powered laptop from 2008/2009 that's running Windows 10 with all the recent updates so I just find it strange that Apple can't keep releasing security updates for my Mac Mini mid2011...



I trust downloading via torrents because when there are many people seeding a particular torrent(hundreds of seeders or more) I can have a fairly certain idea that they're seeding a file that's not malicious.

It seems as though all the efforts everyone has made to inform and help you has literally just bounced off you. Gone through one ear and out thew other.

 

[vasim]

It seems as though all the efforts everyone has made to inform and help you has literally just bounced off you. Gone through one ear and out thew other.

Right.. Best solution, get out find a new Mac Mini and buy it. There is no other way to do her business. It is the same question if you have a 30 years old car and you worry about it's ABS system. Surely, it will not be safe for you any more..

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

It seems as though all the efforts everyone has made to inform and help you has literally just bounced off you. Gone through one ear and out thew other.

Timidpimpin, I'm under a lot of stress with the current health crisis.

I can assure you I'm trying my best to solve this problem and get my Mac Mini mid2011 running ASAP.

Right.. Best solution, get out find a new Mac Mini and buy it. There is no other way to do her business. It is the same question if you have a 30 years old car and you worry about it's ABS system. Surely, it will not be safe for you any more..

Thank you for your reply Vasim!

Buying a new Mac is something I definitely want to do, but many MacRumors users have said that it's better to wait for the new ARM Mac's that Apple release...