{
  "id": 3036534,
  "title": "Why older tech is sometimes safer from hackers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/why-older-tech-is-sometimes-safer-from-hackers",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-24T11:23:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hacker News",
    "slug": "hacker-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260821-why-older-tech-is-sometimes-safer-from-hackers"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Older technology can sometimes be safer from hackers, according to cybersecurity expert Mikko Hyppönen. He once relied on obsolete email software called Eudora, which was discontinued but still had fewer known vulnerabilities compared to newer options. Hyppönen coined the phrases \"security by antiquity\" and \"security by obsolescence\" to describe this phenomenon, stating that relying on older technology may prove safer in certain situations.\n\nFor instance, the Irish Aviation Authority continues to use ground-based radio navigation beacons instead of the more modern but vulnerable GPS system because of concerns about jamming attacks. Similarly, Matt Bishop, a computer scientist, set up a honeypot using an older version of software, and hackers avoided targeting it when the team upgraded to newer software.\n\nWhile Hyppönen and Bishop support this approach, it comes with trade-offs. For example, older devices like the Nokia 9210, first released 25 years ago, have known vulnerabilities but are less targeted by hackers. However, they may still be more at risk from certain types of attacks, such as call snooping.\n\nTechnologists working with militaries also recognize the value of old technologies for reliability and security. The US military, for example, continues to use decades-old radio tech, which is considered tried, tested, and secure. Another alternative is eLoran, a radio-based navigation system based on military technology from World War Two, which is becoming increasingly desirable due to its resistance to GPS jamming attacks.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}