If you heard about Apple's list of 'obsolete' devices and were intending to ignore the warnings, you might want to think again once you've heard what this tech expert has to say about it.
We get it - splashing out on a new blower is probably the last thing on your priority list in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, but if you cling onto your outdated iPhone, just beware that it's age might result in it getting 'exploited'.
Although you might reckon your trusty old mobile phone has still got a lot of life in it yet, Apple don't share the same sentiment and pretty much believe that the scrap heap is the only place for them.
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Basically, the tech giant classes products as obsolete when it has been more than seven years since it 'stopped distributing them for sale' - meaning the devices can no longer be fixed and rarely receive iOs security updates.
For example, once an iPhone turns ten-years-old, the company can no longer order repair parts for it, so if it ever goes kaput, there is no coming back for it.
As you can imagine, the OG's such as the iPhone 3G, iPhone 4s and iPhone 5C have been declared obsolete.
You can take a look at the full 'death list' here - and you might be surprised by how long it is.
Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of people still walking round with devices which were mentioned on the docket that are seemingly still working well, but they are leaving themselves wide open for a cyber attack, security experts warn.
That's because without regular iOS updates and security revisions, online villains can take advantage of the vulnerabilities that older devices have before commandeering your iPhone.
Obviously, that's worst case scenario - but at the very least, you're going to be in possession of phone which goes increasingly slow and frustrating to use without the option of getting it fixed by Apple.
So, if your iPhone is on the dreaded list of doomed devices, the global cybersecurity advisor at software firm ESE suggests you might be best throwing the whole thing away.
Tech whizz Jake Moore explained that you are putting yourself at risk security-wise if you vow to stick by your old iPhone.
Speaking to Forbes, he explained: "Obsolete devices including iPhones will all at some point see their free updates come to a halt, putting them at risk to any vulnerabilities that are found after that date."
Moore said that hackers don't often 'specifically target' older Apple models as the vast majority of people are using newer ones these days anyway, but he warned that people should still be wary.
He continued: "Older iPhones still remain in circulation and once a vulnerability is located, it can rapidly be exploited by attackers and directed at anyone with devices left unpatched.
"If people are using iPhones that are out of patch warranty - although it’s frustrating - they should consider replacing them with a newer, more secure device."
If you ever needed an excuse to purchase a swish new iPhone, I think this one is as good as any.
Topics: Apple, Technology, iPhone
Olivia Burke