End of Support Chromebook
- cheese_breath
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End of Support Chromebook
My older Chromebook has reached the end of its Google support, and I was wondering what the dangers might be from continuing to use it anyway. I can connect it to the network by ethernet cable so I doubt anyone could sneak in through the wifi. I know it wouldn't get whatever new features Google comes up with, but that's OK.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Per the company's End of Life policy, Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices are only entitled to five years of feature and security updates. After that, Google doesn't guarantee that these systems will run safely or properly.
Due to security issues the computer should not be run on the same network as any other devices you use for financial activities. When using assume that the computer is compromised from a privacy/security standpoint. So connect to the guest side of your router and use it to watch cat videos
Due to security issues the computer should not be run on the same network as any other devices you use for financial activities. When using assume that the computer is compromised from a privacy/security standpoint. So connect to the guest side of your router and use it to watch cat videos
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
- cheese_breath
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
For that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Help me understand. The operating system on the chromebook is just Chrome, correct? And this is updated automatically.
How is a chromebook much more safe at 4.5 years of life as opposed to 5.5 years? As long as the chromebook has the current version of the OS, shouldn't it be equally as safe as a chromebook a few years newer?
How is a chromebook much more safe at 4.5 years of life as opposed to 5.5 years? As long as the chromebook has the current version of the OS, shouldn't it be equally as safe as a chromebook a few years newer?
51% US / 34% ex-US / 15% “bond”
Re: End of Support Chromebook
The manufacturer won't push security updates to the device per their policy. If Google wanted to they could support the hardware for any length of time. For example windows does this. Windows doesn't care of your hardware is 20 years old or new.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
- cheese_breath
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
But it doesn't. They stopped issuing updates for the older Chromebook a few months ago. I still get them for the newer one. Also, it appears there must be some slight differences dependent on the computer model number.camillus wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:20 pm Help me understand. The operating system on the chromebook is just Chrome, correct? And this is updated automatically.
How is a chromebook much more safe at 4.5 years of life as opposed to 5.5 years? As long as the chromebook has the current version of the OS, shouldn't it be equally as safe as a chromebook a few years newer?
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Ok, they stop pushing the updates. But can you pull them - ie update the browser?
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Not sure. I doubt it. Google wants you to buy another device.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
MS ends support all the time. I just checked Windows Vista. That support ended in 2017
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/hel ... of-support
Win 7 mainstream support ended in 2015. Extended support until 2020. I imagine you can pay for updates. Typically business I would think
Re: End of Support Chromebook
They allowed free upgrades to 10 from 7. Buts it's off of scope for the OP
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
Oh wow, I hadn't heard about this. This is kind of awful -- it sounds like you can't pull updates either. 5 years after the model hit the market, it becomes unsupported, period. Which means you can buy a chromebook on a closeout sale and have less than a year left until it reaches end of life.
https://liliputing.com/2018/04/googles- ... oblem.html
At that point, the more technically adventurous could try installing ubuntu linux: https://blog.ubuntu.com/2018/01/30/tuto ... chromebook
Or a couple other options: https://www.howtogeek.com/403164/what-t ... -its-life/
But basically, if you still want to run Chrome OS w/ security updates, you need to go buy new hardware.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Did you try checking for updates manually?cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:27 pm They stopped issuing updates for the older Chromebook a few months ago. I still get them for the newer one.
https://support.google.com/chromebook/a ... 7889?hl=en
My wife has a Chromebook that's more than five years old. Not sure if it still gets automatic updates, but if she checks for updates, it provides them.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Getting Ubuntu on it would probably be a good option instead of running unsecured.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
As stated, install some flavor of Linux, like Ubuntu and you will be fully supported with security and updates.
https://www.howtogeek.com/162120/how-to ... h-crouton/
Forced upgrades from Apple, MS, Google are monopolistic. I have completely abandoned commercial operating systems for Linux. 5 years now. Never looked back. It's very liberating. Plus Linux breathes new life into older hardware. Very Boglehead, don't waste $ buying a new computer, install Linux on your existing computer, and if needed add a (larger) Solid state drive.
https://www.howtogeek.com/162120/how-to ... h-crouton/
Forced upgrades from Apple, MS, Google are monopolistic. I have completely abandoned commercial operating systems for Linux. 5 years now. Never looked back. It's very liberating. Plus Linux breathes new life into older hardware. Very Boglehead, don't waste $ buying a new computer, install Linux on your existing computer, and if needed add a (larger) Solid state drive.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." |
Thorin Oakenshield
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Even my 2008 iMac, still running like a champ, became officially "vintage" in the Apple world a couple years ago. It only got 10 years of updates.
Companies have to eventually move on with tech, I suppose?
Companies have to eventually move on with tech, I suppose?
Re: End of Support Chromebook
I have a Samsung Chromebook I bought in 2012. I just powered it up and it started receiving updates. Pull up Settings, use the menu in the top left corner, and choose About Chrome OS.
P.S. Mine just finished, and under Detailed Build Information it shows a build date of January 11, 2019.
P.S. Mine just finished, and under Detailed Build Information it shows a build date of January 11, 2019.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
I hate to be that guy, but shouldn't this thread belong to the Personal Consumer Issues forum, not Personal Investments forum?
PS: I agree with the Ubuntu recommendation. There is a product called XtraPC sold on Amazon, which is a USB stick that contains the Linux operating system. Could be a great way to reuse the old hardware without having to learn the new Linux OS. Just stick it in a USB port and power up. The stck has most common utilities like a web browser, Linux equivalents of Word and Excel, notepad etc.
PS: I agree with the Ubuntu recommendation. There is a product called XtraPC sold on Amazon, which is a USB stick that contains the Linux operating system. Could be a great way to reuse the old hardware without having to learn the new Linux OS. Just stick it in a USB port and power up. The stck has most common utilities like a web browser, Linux equivalents of Word and Excel, notepad etc.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
+1smarcus3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:16 pmFor that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
This thread is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum (Chromebook).
- cheese_breath
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
I'm with AT&T Internet now, and I don't think their gateway (combined modem and router) has a guest side.smarcus3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:16 pmFor that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
That's disappointing. I know my current spectrum and Google does but that's not yours. Might be worth a call to technical support
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
- quantAndHold
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
My 2 year old AT&T modem/router has a guest side. If yours doesn’t, it might be worth a call to them to see if you can get a newer one. If your modem/router is older, I wouldn’t be surprised if it has security issues of its own.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:14 amI'm with AT&T Internet now, and I don't think their gateway (combined modem and router) has a guest side.smarcus3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:16 pmFor that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Chrome books are meant to be almost disposable. You can get a new one on Amazon for $150. If you don’t want to do that running it on Ethernet at home is pretty safe, and I wouldn’t lose sleep over that.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Yes, I have a 10yo laptop that works fine with Ubuntu.Spinola wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:44 pm As stated, install some flavor of Linux, like Ubuntu and you will be fully supported with security and updates.
https://www.howtogeek.com/162120/how-to ... h-crouton/
Forced upgrades from Apple, MS, Google are monopolistic. I have completely abandoned commercial operating systems for Linux. 5 years now. Never looked back. It's very liberating. Plus Linux breathes new life into older hardware. Very Boglehead, don't waste $ buying a new computer, install Linux on your existing computer, and if needed add a (larger) Solid state drive.
It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them. --M. Twain
Re: End of Support Chromebook
I considered posting what version of Windows I'm running, since I have expensive unique peripherals that only run on it, but I think I won't. Most of the time I am not connected to the Internet. The heck I'm going to spend a bunch of money due to planned obsolescence.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Personally, I wouldn't fret much about continuing to use an old Chromebook that didn't have the latest security patches. I wouldn't want it for deeply personal or financial stuff though. The biggest vulnerability I think is the browser itself and any plugins you add, not necessarily the operating system. Unless you're running the Chromebook in "developer mode" every time the Chromebook reboots it verifies the installation is running the Google approved version of the OS and hasn't been modified. The hardware is relatively unique with different manufacturers and a bit too esoteric for anyone to really target a specific model for malicious malware on the hardware. On the other hand, if you install plugins from the Chrome Web Store and agree to give those apps permission to spy on you, that is a vulnerability, so is visiting strange websites that might try to track you or get your browser to report information you don't want it to... but those are vulnerabilities you have even with the most up to date browser. With an old browser you migh argue a sort of "security through obscurity" - the older, less used, less supported your browser becomes, the less likely it will be targeted by people trying to exploit vulnerabilities in the latest browsers.
"To achieve satisfactory investment results is easier than most people realize; to achieve superior results is harder than it looks." - Benjamin Graham
Re: End of Support Chromebook
that usb stick sounds great.lakpr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:32 am I hate to be that guy, but shouldn't this thread belong to the Personal Consumer Issues forum, not Personal Investments forum?
PS: I agree with the Ubuntu recommendation. There is a product called XtraPC sold on Amazon, which is a USB stick that contains the Linux operating system. Could be a great way to reuse the old hardware without having to learn the new Linux OS. Just stick it in a USB port and power up. The stck has most common utilities like a web browser, Linux equivalents of Word and Excel, notepad etc.
I want to try Linux but don't know how to get it on my blank usb stick.
I will use it on a 2006 mac book pro and an older hp laptop.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
You can live boot into Ubuntu to 'try' it without changing anything with the current OS. not sure if this works for Chromebooks through. it does for Windows.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
- cheese_breath
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
Maybe I'm wrong then. It's only a year old. I'll have to check it out. Maybe it has a guest side, but it hasn't been activated?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:36 amMy 2 year old AT&T modem/router has a guest side. If yours doesn’t, it might be worth a call to them to see if you can get a newer one. If your modem/router is older, I wouldn’t be surprised if it has security issues of its own.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:14 amI'm with AT&T Internet now, and I don't think their gateway (combined modem and router) has a guest side.smarcus3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:16 pmFor that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
yes, that's why using the usb to boot up sounds appealing
that way I wont have to install it on the hard drive.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Here you go: https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/t ... -windows#0
I did it years ago. Very easy. Now I just buy cheap laptops off dell outlet so I don't have to deal with the limitations of Linux.
I did it years ago. Very easy. Now I just buy cheap laptops off dell outlet so I don't have to deal with the limitations of Linux.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
thanks for the link!smarcus3 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:26 am Here you go: https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/t ... -windows#0
I did it years ago. Very easy. Now I just buy cheap laptops off dell outlet so I don't have to deal with the limitations of Linux.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
No problem.bondsr4me wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:53 amthanks for the link!smarcus3 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:26 am Here you go: https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/t ... -windows#0
I did it years ago. Very easy. Now I just buy cheap laptops off dell outlet so I don't have to deal with the limitations of Linux.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Conjure with chromebooks but this happens with Windows computers. Its why your at a heightened risk when using public wifi hotspots. Most devices are setup to 'trust' local intranet connections so once you breach a single device behind the firewall / router the others are more susceptible to attack. This is why people setup 'guest' access to their wifi so it keep their devices quarantined from others.
This is my personal opinion. I'm an engineer not a financial advisor.
- quantAndHold
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
Very possible. My guest network wasn’t active by default.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:22 amMaybe I'm wrong then. It's only a year old. I'll have to check it out. Maybe it has a guest side, but it hasn't been activated?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 10:36 amMy 2 year old AT&T modem/router has a guest side. If yours doesn’t, it might be worth a call to them to see if you can get a newer one. If your modem/router is older, I wouldn’t be surprised if it has security issues of its own.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:14 amI'm with AT&T Internet now, and I don't think their gateway (combined modem and router) has a guest side.smarcus3 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:16 pmFor that why not.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 10:13 pm I use it to watch Australian Rules Football, but cat videos should be good too.
I'd recommend connecting to the guest side of your router so the Chromebook is isolated from the rest of your local networked devices. Otherwise the Chromebook could give access to your other devices to a hacker.
- quantAndHold
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
Okay, I’ll take a crack at answering this. Fact. Basically, bad guys look for any opening they can get through to get anywhere on any machine they can, then use that opening to move further into the computer or the network. From the outside, your home network is pretty well protected, and there aren’t that many ways for a bad guy to get in. A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network. Once they’re inside the network, they have easier access to other devices that aren’t as well hardened from inside the network as they are from the outside.
This kind of attack is actually how the big data breaches happen. An attacker uses one attack to get inside the network, then looks inside the network for other misconfigurstions and vulnerabilities they can exploit to move from machine to machine within the network.
That said, is some attacker sitting at his computer specifically trying to get into cheese_breath’s network? No. But once the chromebook stops getting updates, there will eventually be a chrome security flaw that’s exploitable. Bad guys have tools that look for that. They find it, get in, and either run a botnet on cheesy’s chromebook, or automatically run other software that scans his internal network looking for other machines to take over.
Personally, I run all of my “smart” devices (Roku, Alexa, etc) on my guest network. I also don’t run any software that isn’t fully up to date, especially on my internal network.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Even if you have a strong firewall where the IP address is not even visible from outside? I am wondering how someone could get in through my Chromebook when my network IP address is not even visible? Doesn't the network firewall provide protection?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:28 pm A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Vampires can't break in to your house - but they can come in freely at your invitation.munemaker wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:38 pmEven if you have a strong firewall where the IP address is not even visible from outside? I am wondering how someone could get in through my Chromebook when my network IP address is not even visible? Doesn't the network firewall provide protection?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:28 pm A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network.
If you happen to visit a web page which then runs a piece of javascript malware, it's essentially the same thing; the script runs on YOUR computer which is inside your home network and firewall.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
What quantand hold said.
Read about how a casino was hacked through a fishtank:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leemathews ... 34feed32b9
Medical providers have been hacked through med devices.
Read about how a casino was hacked through a fishtank:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/leemathews ... 34feed32b9
Medical providers have been hacked through med devices.
- quantAndHold
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
Like oxothuk said more poetically than I can. There are some really egregious bugs that will allow an attacker to get in without you doing anything at all. Rare in 2019, but they still come up every once in awhile. For example, there have been a series of bugs in the routers we all use. But most attacks start with someone clicking on a link, which causes the code to download and run from the inside.munemaker wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:38 pmEven if you have a strong firewall where the IP address is not even visible from outside? I am wondering how someone could get in through my Chromebook when my network IP address is not even visible? Doesn't the network firewall provide protection?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:28 pm A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
They did but for a limited time and not from every old windows OS, so it would be at least premature to speculate that MS will continue to do that. Maybe next time everyone will have to pay a couple of hundred dollars. So previous to 7 you would have had to pay to upgrade your device to 7 in order to qualify for the free 10 upgrade when it was available.
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
But (I assume) they'd have to enter through the wifi. If I'm ethernet connected to the gateway is the wifi still active?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:28 pmOkay, I’ll take a crack at answering this. Fact. Basically, bad guys look for any opening they can get through to get anywhere on any machine they can, then use that opening to move further into the computer or the network. From the outside, your home network is pretty well protected, and there aren’t that many ways for a bad guy to get in. A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network. Once they’re inside the network, they have easier access to other devices that aren’t as well hardened from inside the network as they are from the outside.
This kind of attack is actually how the big data breaches happen. An attacker uses one attack to get inside the network, then looks inside the network for other misconfigurstions and vulnerabilities they can exploit to move from machine to machine within the network.
That said, is some attacker sitting at his computer specifically trying to get into cheese_breath’s network? No. But once the chromebook stops getting updates, there will eventually be a chrome security flaw that’s exploitable. Bad guys have tools that look for that. They find it, get in, and either run a botnet on cheesy’s chromebook, or automatically run other software that scans his internal network looking for other machines to take over.
Personally, I run all of my “smart” devices (Roku, Alexa, etc) on my guest network. I also don’t run any software that isn’t fully up to date, especially on my internal network.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
What model? Is your battery still good? How many hours when new and now?cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:54 pm My older Chromebook has reached the end of its Google support, and I was wondering what the dangers might be from continuing to use it anyway. I can connect it to the network by ethernet cable so I doubt anyone could sneak in through the wifi. I know it wouldn't get whatever new features Google comes up with, but that's OK.
I wouldn't worry right away, but as more exploits are discovered, I would become more concerned. Plan to replace it sooner or later and avoid or reduce personal use (email, financial, etc.). If you're just browsing news or watching videos and listening to music/podcasts, it doesn't matter. Anyway, between battery life and performance becoming unacceptable (especially for newer functions and web sites), an older Chromebook isn't going to be as fun or useful.
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
They enter through the internet. There’s nothing special about WiFi vs wired. They could be (and probably are) in Russia or China.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:08 pmBut (I assume) they'd have to enter through the wifi. If I'm ethernet connected to the gateway is the wifi still active?quantAndHold wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 2:28 pmOkay, I’ll take a crack at answering this. Fact. Basically, bad guys look for any opening they can get through to get anywhere on any machine they can, then use that opening to move further into the computer or the network. From the outside, your home network is pretty well protected, and there aren’t that many ways for a bad guy to get in. A misconfigured or unpatched chromebook, or smart TV or whatever, can allow them to get inside the network. Once they’re inside the network, they have easier access to other devices that aren’t as well hardened from inside the network as they are from the outside.
This kind of attack is actually how the big data breaches happen. An attacker uses one attack to get inside the network, then looks inside the network for other misconfigurstions and vulnerabilities they can exploit to move from machine to machine within the network.
That said, is some attacker sitting at his computer specifically trying to get into cheese_breath’s network? No. But once the chromebook stops getting updates, there will eventually be a chrome security flaw that’s exploitable. Bad guys have tools that look for that. They find it, get in, and either run a botnet on cheesy’s chromebook, or automatically run other software that scans his internal network looking for other machines to take over.
Personally, I run all of my “smart” devices (Roku, Alexa, etc) on my guest network. I also don’t run any software that isn’t fully up to date, especially on my internal network.
There are ways to get in via an unsecured WiFi, but the attacker needs to be within about 1/2 mile of you, and your 1 year old router is pretty well secured, if you’re using a decent password. For practical purposes, your home WiFi has about the same level of security as your wired internet.
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Re: End of Support Chromebook
It's an Acer C710, so old it has a spinning disk. I don't know the last four numbers, but it looks exactly like this one Newegg's selling...inbox788 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 7:46 pmWhat model? Is your battery still good? How many hours when new and now?cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:54 pm My older Chromebook has reached the end of its Google support, and I was wondering what the dangers might be from continuing to use it anyway. I can connect it to the network by ethernet cable so I doubt anyone could sneak in through the wifi. I know it wouldn't get whatever new features Google comes up with, but that's OK.
I wouldn't worry right away, but as more exploits are discovered, I would become more concerned. Plan to replace it sooner or later and avoid or reduce personal use (email, financial, etc.). If you're just browsing news or watching videos and listening to music/podcasts, it doesn't matter. Anyway, between battery life and performance becoming unacceptable (especially for newer functions and web sites), an older Chromebook isn't going to be as fun or useful.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... lsrc=aw.ds
Notice Google Chrome is listed as the OS. Somebody's going to be in for a surprise when (s)he gets a notification that it's no longer supported the first time (s)he tries to use it unless the refurber has somehow loaded a more current OS.
I bought it new, and the battery still meets it's three hour rating. I'm not concerned about replacing it as I already have a newer Chromebook. I just dislike trashing something that still works.
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: End of Support Chromebook
Give Cloudready a try on the old macbook and hp laptop. https://www.neverware.com/freedownloadbondsr4me wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 11:19 amthat usb stick sounds great.lakpr wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 4:32 am I hate to be that guy, but shouldn't this thread belong to the Personal Consumer Issues forum, not Personal Investments forum?
PS: I agree with the Ubuntu recommendation. There is a product called XtraPC sold on Amazon, which is a USB stick that contains the Linux operating system. Could be a great way to reuse the old hardware without having to learn the new Linux OS. Just stick it in a USB port and power up. The stck has most common utilities like a web browser, Linux equivalents of Word and Excel, notepad etc.
I want to try Linux but don't know how to get it on my blank usb stick.
I will use it on a 2006 mac book pro and an older hp laptop.
Haven't looked into running Linux on an actual Chromebook, but I suppose it's possible. There are crouton and crostini hacks that might be a start. Seems like there's some write protect screw on some Chromebooks that may need to be removed. Found some information on Cloudready that looks early and promising, but no didn't come across any actual writeups.
https://neverware.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ ... Chromebook
https://neverware.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ ... hromebook-
https://neverware.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/ ... hromebook-
I tried Cloudready, and it's 90-80% like a Chromebook, but on older and slower hardware, it's also sluggish, no unlike most Chromebooks. Did run it on a newer i3 system and it ran fairly well, but they removed dual boot support so I deleted it.
That's a workhorse, and looks like you've gotten good use out of it. You might still get $50 or so on eBay or Craigslist or pass it on to someone. Many Chromebooks haven't gotten faster, though battery life of 3 hours is low compared to 10 hours or more for new ones these days (and the faster ones cost quite a bit more).cheese_breath wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 8:02 pmIt's an Acer C710, so old it has a spinning disk. ...
I bought it new, and the battery still meets it's three hour rating. I'm not concerned about replacing it as I already have a newer Chromebook. I just dislike trashing something that still works.
- cheese_breath
- Posts: 11787
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm
Re: End of Support Chromebook
You guys have me feeling a little apprehensive about using the old CB on my home network anymore, so I brought it into DW’s nursing home and logged onto their network. Here’s some comparative information between the old unsupported CB and my newer still supported CB.telemark wrote: ↑Sat Mar 16, 2019 1:02 am I have a Samsung Chromebook I bought in 2012. I just powered it up and it started receiving updates. Pull up Settings, use the menu in the top left corner, and choose About Chrome OS.
P.S. Mine just finished, and under Detailed Build Information it shows a build date of January 11, 2019.
Old Chromebook (no longer supported by Google)
Displays a notification when logging on that the device is no longer supported
Build date is August 16, 2018
Version is 65.0.3325.209 (Official Build) (64-bit)
There is no way to check for updates or pull down any updates
Platform is 10323.67.9 (Official Build) stable-channel parrot
Firmware is Google_Parrot.2685.37.0
Newer Chromebook (still supported by Google)
Build date is March 4, 2019
Version 72.0.3626.122 (Official Build) (64-bit)
There is a button to check for updates. When I press it, it says my Chromebook is up to date.
Platform is 11316.165.0 (Official Build) stable-channel gnawty
Firmware is Google_Gnawty.5216.239.156
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
- quantAndHold
- Posts: 10141
- Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 10:39 pm
- Location: West Coast
Re: End of Support Chromebook
If it were me, I would just go ahead and use it at the nursing home. Don’t use it for financial websites or email, but as long as it’s not on your home network, it should be fine for bogleheads, or watching videos or reading the news.