To the non-computer guy this makes sense for security. Hackers are energetic, creative, resourceful, and persistent. "For best security, keep OS updated." So say many experts.

Another perspective is the accumulating complexity of the OS and the fact that Catalina and later render my backup clone of the Mojave OS useless. Catalina makes Safari more cumbersome to use.

Would restoring the iMac with the clone, which has Mojave on it, make it more vulnerable to hackers, identity thieves, etc.?

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clyde
Would restoring the iMac with the clone, which has Mojave on it, make it more vulnerable to hackers, identity thieves, etc.?

Yes.

Think of it this way: Ideally, you will have the knowledge and sophistication to weigh the risks against the benefits, and should you opt to use an unsupported obsolete OS you will make accommodations for the worst vulnerabilities with firewalls (Little Snitch for example) and anti-malware and Java/JavaScript blockers and such.

Or you could just keep the OS up to date with automatic updates and use a good WiFi router that has its own firewall and set the router to do its own firmware updates automatically and then you're reasonably well protected without all the effort.

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Run the latest version.

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Id rather have *both* my eyes poked out with sharp sticks rather than look at Monty all day

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Which is less vulnerable, Tiangou—ethernet or wifi?

OK, jdc, I'll bite. Do you mean Monterey?

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clyde
Which is less vulnerable, Tiangou—ethernet or wifi?

Ethernet, but if you're not working from a public place like a coffee shop or hotel lobby or airport, you're probably okay using WiFi.

Just don't be stupid about your WiFi. Make sure your router or access point enforces WPA2 (good) or WPA3 (better) encryption. If it doesn't and if you don't see the setting somewhere on your WiFi base-station then it's time for a new WiFi system.

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clyde
OK, jdc, I'll bite. Do you mean Monterey?

Yes. I have (and a few others) posted their disdain with it. cartoon like.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I haven't looked much at all at Monterey, but 'cartoon-like' makes me think of MS Vista.

I had to use it at one time, for a short time, though I believe it had the option to switch to a more traditional UI, so I did.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

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RAMd®d
I haven't looked much at all at Monterey, but 'cartoon-like' makes me think of MS Vista.

It doesn't look like Windows.

They've made the OS look more like iOS.

Which is a little jarring. Started in Big Sur. Makes it easier when you run iOS apps, tho. Did you know that you can run some iOS apps on M1 Macs?

...There's good and bad. Harder to make a bootable clone. But I like the default Monterey desktop pic.

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Tiangou, my router is a Netgear 31. Can it be set to "do its own firmware updates"? If so, I should look into that.

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clyde
Tiangou, my router is a Netgear 31. Can it be set to "do its own firmware updates"? If so, I should look into that.

Do you have the specific model number?

When I Google for info on your router by name, I get posts dating back to 2010 with content suggesting that there are multiple Netgear devices under that name.

...Usually, the admin panel will have a section for firmware-updates and there will be a checkbox there to automate firmware updates.

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In the fine print it says: AC1200 Smart wifi router model R6220

There's no indication in the user guide that the R6220 can automatically update its own firmware, but the feature may not be documented. The manual has several notes indicating features that are not implemented out of the box, but will be implemented with upcoming firmware updates.

See if you can find a toggle/checkbox for it in the admin console under Advanced > Administration > Firmware Update.

The latest firmware for that device is 1.1.0.112. If you don't have that firmware already installed and if you can't enable automatic firmware updates then you should install the new firmware.
[kb.netgear.com]

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"Never update" --Chopper

Chopper: your reason for never updating?? Curious… (Tongue-in-cheek suspected…)