iPad OS @ 12.5.5, do I need a security update for the new Threat?

It is unclear as to whether or not earlier (now unsupported) versions of iOS are exposed to the same Kernel and WebKit vulnerabilities that the iOS/iPadOS 15.6.1 security update is explicitly intended to address.

Regardless of explicit exposure, your iPad is now unsupported. For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases.

The first generation iPad Air, iPad mini2 and mini3 can only be updated to iOS 12.5.5.

Apple ended major update support for these models of iPad in September 2019 - although they continued to receive occasional “point” security updates until late last year. Given that the iPad Air1 and mini2 have since lost all hardware support, the possibility of a further point security update being released for these models is unlikely.

The majority of threats to which you will be invariably exposed will surface via web pages or embedded links within email. These browser-based attacks can be mitigated, at least in part, by using a security focussed DNS Service in preference to automatic DNS settings. This can either be set on a per-device basis in Settings, or can be set-up on your home Router - and in so doing extends the benefit of this specific protection to other devices on your local network. I suggest using one of the following DNS services - for which IPv4 and IPv6 server addresses are listed (you should configure all four addresses for the chosen service):

Quad9 (recommended)

9.9.9.9

149.112.112.112

2620:fe::fe

2620:fe::9

OpenDNS

208.67.222.222

208.67.220.220

2620:0:ccc::2

2620:0:ccd::2

Cloudflare+APNIC

1.1.1.1

1.0.0.1

2606:4700:4700::1111

2606:4700:4700::1001

Use of the above DNS services will help to shield you from “known bad” websites and URLs - from which exploits may be launched.

Possibly, probably not.

iOS 12 device will 8 and 9-years old by Sep 2022.

There is no Apple security update, currently, for its older, aging iOS 12 devices, for the current iMessage, zero click, security vulnerability.

This is entirely up to Apple to decide to implement a security update patch for their older devices, or not.

As just Apple product users here, we have NO insights to what Apple does or doesn’t do.

Sorry.

Yes, your almost 8/9-year old Pad Air1st gen/iPad Mini 2/3 is vulnerable, but may not be at any immediate risk from any hacks, security threats or any other similar security vulnerabilities that would affect your device and its data.

This security vulnerability would need to, directly, target your individual device as a point of attack.

With such an old device and unless you know that you and your device could be, possibly and directly, targeted, a device security attack will be highly unlikely, but there will always be a risk to older Apple devices no longer supported by Apple

Your nearly 8/9-year old device has more pressing and immediate issues.

Basically, the 2013 iPad Air 1 ( “A” model number A1474/1475/1476 ), iPad Mini 2 ( “ A” model number A1489/1490/1491 ) and the 2014 iPad Mini 3 ( “A” model number A1599/1600/1601 ) are just too old, now.

Sorry.

Third party app support, typically, continues for 2-3 years AFTER Apple ends full support of a subset of their devices.

The last major update to iOS 12 was in 2019, with iOS 12.3.

Apple has stopped issuing any major iOS 12 updates for these very old iPad models and have been ONLY issuing security, “point” updates for the past few years.

So, it has been well over two years, already, and third party app support has been on a steady, downward trend for all iOS 12 supported devices.

Look for many more third party apps dropping support for all iOS 12 supported devices as the 2022 year progresses to its end.

The immediately above statement is what you really need to worry about.

One of the things to do to make your aging iPad a little more safe and secure from security vulnerabilities on the Internet.

I would stop using that nearly 3-year old Safari Web browser.

It is, more than likely, no longer safe nor secure enough to use on the Internet, any longer, as it has not received any more full iOS device updates in all this time.

The ONLY third party Web browser still being developed for older iOS devices is the Alook Web browser

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alook-browser-8x-speed/id1261944766

ALook Web browser ( A fairly new Web browser primarily designed for old iOS device versions, but is still available to newer iOS/iPadOS devices, as well ) The ONLY “new-ish” Web browser left that I recommend for any old/er iPad models at this late timeframe!

In addition, the internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads are, also, running on borrowed time.

Not worth the costs to replace these old internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads, any longer, either.

Also, these very old iPad models have NO real trade-in nor any resale value, either.

Sorry.

It is almost the Fall season of 2022, now.

iOS/iPadOS 16 will be releasing soon, from Apple.

It maybe time to seriously consider a purchase of a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.

There are PLENTY of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.

If you need OR ONLY able to purchase older, less expensive iPad models, look at older IPads from 2015 and later.

All of these older model iPads below CAN, currently, run the latest releases of iPadOS 15 and the up and coming iPadOS 16, releasing sometime in the Fall of 2022.

2015-2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 10.5 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models ( NO Pencil support )

2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2018, 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )

2019, 10.5 inch screen iPad Air 3rd gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

2019, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 5th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )

Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has ANY expandable storage.

I am sorry that you had to learn all of this, but this does not change any of the facts regarding these older iOS devices.

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

If you decide to go down the path of purchasing used, secondhand Apple devices, here is how to avoid purchasing an Apple iOS/iPadOS device with user activation lock, in the future.

If you purchase any iPad, or any Apple iOS device, for that matter, used/second hand, online, or even in-person, make sure this iPad does NOT have user activation lock and has been properly reset for sale.

A properly reset for sale iPad should initially power up to an animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen.

DO NOT take the iPad seller's word that this iPad is user activation lock free!

We have seen plenty of used iOS device purchasers get scammed.

User Activation Lock can never be bypasss, circumvented or worked around IF there is no correct previous/original user information to be able to do so.

Apple doesn't get involved with ANY user activation locked, used/second-hand sold devices, either.

So, buyer beware!

If purchasing a used device in-person, power the iPad ON

If the iPad DOES NOT display the initial animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, then pass on purchasing this iPad.

If the iPad powers up to any other screen, then forget purchasing this iPad.

You cannot trust that the seller actually has the correct needed info to properly reset the iPad back to factory settings right then and there before the actual purchase and exchange of money for the iPad, in question.

Pass on the device!

If you are purchasing this used iPad online ask the seller to provide multiple images, either online or be sent to you via email, showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen of the interested in purchasing iPad model.

Even better, ask for a short video be sent to you showing this animated, multi-language “Welcome” screen, in action and in its entirety, posted to the online ad or emailed to you.

If the online iPad seller refuses any of these requests, pass on the iPad. DO NOT buy!

Good Luck to You!