Hey everyone, I have a 2008 MacBook Pro that I’ve been running as a Plex server which is no longer receiving software updates. What do you all recommend I do to keep this great hardware running in this situation? I have a newer Mac that could possible take over the server duties but have invested a lot in this machine as well (replacing HDD, RAM, disc drive).
Install Linux on it:
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Why not just keep running it as is?
I’m concerned about security updates stopping soon
Ohh good idea! Do you have any experience with trying to run Linux on a headless laptop? I’m wondering if it will wake for network access etc if the laptop is closed.
Do you connect to the Plex server remotely? If not, delete all third party apps except Plex, and delete all email, iCloud, etc. accounts. Then turn on the firewall, block all incoming connections and only allow Plex to phone home. You should then, IMO, be reasonably secure - unless I’ve overlooked something.
What’s your opinion of doing this, esteemed forum members?
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There are a number of ways to remotely access a Linux machine.
A very easy way is to use www.anydesk.com
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That’s kinda where I was heading. I don’t know if running Linux would be any more secure (my gut feeling is that it would not).
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While no operating system is 100% secure, a hardened version of Linux seems to be the OS that most security professionals prefer. Of course, the process of making a Linux (or any OS) computer more secure reduces it’s usefulness as a general purpose machine. As a very rough comparison look at a Chromebook vs a Mac.
Your suggestion of “just keep running it as is” was a valid one. I was just building on that idea.
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Assuming the Mac is behind a home router of some kind, the actual likelihood of anyone accessing it remotely for any nefarious purpose seems extremely small.
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Linux is only as secure as the knowledge of the user.
Thats why its best for most users to rely on Apple to take care of us. Unless the user (admin) is very well skilled and keeps up-to date on a daily basis…
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I do occasionally connect to it remotely so I wouldn’t be able to lock it down completely, but some winter cleaning could definitely happen!
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If the Mac doesn’t need to connect to the outside world it is perfectly safe (except against worms, and I haven’t seen one of them going though the Internet in decades). And frankly I wouldn’t worry if it did connect as long as it is behind a firewall and you practice “safe computing”.
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