How to I keep my Chromebook secured after it stopped providing updates?

melecio
melecio Member Posts: 9

Tinkerer
in Chromebooks
I bought my Acer Chromebook 3.5 years ago and it had been updating itself since. But I recently received a message that it will no longer receive updates. It recommended that I buy a newer model if I want to continue receiving updates. I dont want to buy a Chromebook every 3.5 years. What should I do to remain secured from viruses, walmares and other problems?  I think I can update all the apps. I'm not sure if I can update ChromeOS. Thanks.

Answers

  • AnhEZ28
    AnhEZ28 ACE, Member Posts: 4,292 Pathfinder
    @melecio it is still safe to use the Chromebook that is stopped from the updates. Chrome OS has fewer chances of being infected by Viruses and Malware. But just stay away from any scam or suspicious website that tells you to download unknown stuff. 
    Please remember to include @AnhEZ28 when you want to reply back to my comment so that I can check your response.
    Thank you and have a nice day!
  • melecio
    melecio Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
     @AnhEZ28 with so many chromebooks out there, criminals will not pass up the opportunity to create havoc
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer
    Luckily pretty much the only things they can do is contained within malicious web sites, since they can't run applications directly on the machine.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • mgenereu
    mgenereu Member Posts: 1 New User
    If you value the security of your accounts and data, I would not continue using it after this date.  The device does one thing, browse the Internet, and the updates protect against that one thing. Three and a half years means you bought a model quite a while after its first manufacturing date.  The latest Chromebooks are getting updates for eight years from the manufacturing date so your burden would be having to buy a new one every seven to eight years.

    Although nothing is set in stone, it looks like Google is transitioning ChromeOS operating system updates from ChromeOS browser updates.  At that point, you would get the experience you were hoping for where antiquated hardware support and browser security updates are on different timelines.
  • Ightorn
    Ightorn Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    I have a Chromebook like this:
    Model Name : Acer Chromebook R11Release Date : December 01, 2015

    I set up the Beta Channel Update here:
    Settings / About ChromeOS / More info

    Updated to version 103, but said it was the last update.

    I hope Google separates browser and OS update!
  • Ightorn
    Ightorn Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    melecio said:
    I bought my Acer Chromebook 3.5 years ago and it had been updating itself since. But I recently received a message that it will no longer receive updates. It recommended that I buy a newer model if I want to continue receiving updates. I dont want to buy a Chromebook every 3.5 years. What should I do to remain secured from viruses, walmares and other problems?  I think I can update all the apps. I'm not sure if I can update ChromeOS. Thanks.

    The best solution:
    https://support.google.com/chromebook/thread/165794614/got-a-message-that-i-would-no-longer-get-updates-and-to-buy-newer-device-now-no-wi-fi?hl=en

    Type chrome: //flags/#lacros-support into your browser
    Allow it to be a primary and to be updated.
  • Ightorn
    Ightorn Member Posts: 9

    Tinkerer
    The best solution:
    https://support.google.com/chromebook/thread/165794614/got-a-message-that-i-would-no-longer-get-updates-and-to-buy-newer-device-now-no-wi-fi?hl=en

    Type chrome: //flags/#lacros-support into your browser
    Allow it to be a primary and to be updated.

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