RAM problem

Q - " This seems to be connecting to the latest iOS update released on June 14, despite my not running the latest iOS. "

A - The last update to Mojave itself was in Sep 26, 2019 unless the use is referring to a Safari update which is a different matter

A - And agree with @BobTheFisherman.

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, alter, modify, remove or delete or attempt to do so is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

This will include CleanMyMac , This will include BitDefender , 

This will included Norton Antivirus , Sophos Av Software

Intego AntiVirus, McAfee, MacKeeper, Avast AntiVirus

Ad Guard, Webroot , ESET

The The Built in Security  is all that is required.

Uninstall all third party apps that claim to clean, manage, boost performance, etc. Such apps use system resources while providing no benefit. They may also cause problems.

Post an Etrecheck report so that we can see what may be affecting your computer.

Using EtreCheck - Apple Community

Start by uninstalling Trend Micro.

Livelikemusic wrote:

Well, then I am glad I am no longer using the VPN. And while removing Trend Micro from my system has semi-worked (though feel semi-bare and exposed without the virus protection), I am still dropping in RAM. I logged on with 6GB and I currently have 3.85-3.90GB. Is that normal?

Yes it is normal. Unused RAM is wasted RAM. Why would you pay for 8GB RAM then not use it. The MacOS manages RAM which is dynamic memory. Data is loaded into RAM based on usage and in preparation for anticipated need. If RAM was not used in this way your computer would be much slower.

Livelikemusic wrote:

I guess it's just me scared this issue will persist, and it'll go back to freezing like it used to and tell me my web app memory is low or non-functioning, haha.

Try it for a while now that your third party app is uninstalled.

Security Update 2021-005 (Mojave) (CA)

Post Date: Aug 5, 2021

That almost 12 months ago

But we will see what Etrecheck Report has to offer

Power cycle the computer after uninstalling the apps.

Why do you need the VPN? Are you creating a secure tunnel to your workplace?

Limited drive access - More information may be available with Full Drive Access.

32-bit Apps - This computer has 32-bits apps will not work on current versions of the operating system.

Work pursuing ?

Livelikemusic wrote:

I power cycled my system. RAM still seems to be dropping. Not as dramatically fast, but still at a significant drop. As for VPN, I've always used it when doing my banking for privacy and to watch those pesky YouTube region-blocked videos.

Using third party VPN services other than for creating a direct secure tunnel provides no security. In fact it routes all your private information to some third party server before they route it to the Iinternet as you would have done. The third party VPN provider can and does sell, share, release your data to whoever they want.