G5 running 10.4.11

Mac OS X 10.4 was superseded by Mac OS X 10.5 in 2007. The OS is well obsolete and has not received any support from Apple in twelve (?) years.

The newest OS that a G5 iMac can run is 10.5.8. That OS was retired and became unsupported by Apple ~2012 or so. That's eleven years ago.

Retire the G5 Mac. It's no more than a vintage, obsolete computer at this point and has no place on the modern internet. It is unsupported and insecure. You may wish to keep using it, but you will find that there are no upgrade paths and your attempts will become more and more difficult as time and tech continues to move forward.

in my opinion, the biggest threat by far is connecting to the Internet directly.

The risk from file sharing with your other computers is far lower, whether using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or 'sneaker-net' (defined as copy files to USB stick, use sneakers on your feet to walk to the other computer.)

Encryption required to make most Internet connections today was deprecated in 2015 when it was discovered that Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption was flawed, and that was superseded by Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. Safari older than version 9, and most other Browsers, died at that time.

Encrypted Internet connection works with 10.11 El Capitan. If you work at it, an absolute minimum of 10.9 Mavericks with upgraded Safari 9.

chuck3400 wrote:

As I suspected. I won't retire the machine since it runs Adobe/Quark/MP Navigator I still use. Going forward, best to disconnect WiFi and continue to transfer files to MacBook via stick.

Thanks!

That is exactly what I've done with my G4 MMD that has an old but workable version of Creative Suite and a CAD program I need. I've given up using our G4s for any web browsing. Even on a fast cable internet connection they are simply too slow and too many sites wil not support them.

..chuck3400..

Thought to mention for what it may be worth, for those who

like experimenting with TenFourFox Development.. ~ Some

ideas on how that could proceed, exist on 'blogspot' pages.

TenFourFox Development: April patch set for TenFourFox

https://tenfourfox.blogspot.com/2023/04/april-patchset-for-tenfourfox.html

Additional pages with older & newer instructions are there too.

https://tenfourfox.blogspot.com/

[The last TenFourFox FPR as noticed, still works for some sites.]

Had fired-up the G4 Mac mini Late 2005 1.5GHz PPC (10.5.8)

because some older files & digital images still reside in there.

Pre-iPhone: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1 & Nikon D70 archives.

Along with image editor "ToyViewer for Mac" PPC version.

ToyViewer for Mac OS X (2009 info + download by author)

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~ogihara/software/OSX/toyv-eng.html

These older tools still work OK; & share local, with USB flash, etc.

Chuck..

While there may be security concerns anytime one uses an older

device with a system such as TenFourFox; patched to run inside

this version is less an issue, when you take charge and manage it

with utmost responsibility. My G4 Late 2005 PPC Leopard 10.5.8

system w/ TenFourFox, runs online; also manage a Gmail login.

But realize I've nothing on that Mac other than a few dozen old

scenic images, and some thoughts; saved web posts; like a blog.

And when not in use, anymore I shut it off; to save the hardware!

..I've only three Macs; other two are newer, Intel-based models..

Anyway, these things are what they are; you could try and modify

the TenFourFox as those DIY (roll your own) keep on using it, too.

Their preferred build to advance this browser is a G5 PowerMac.

It is true there is no love from developers for us vintage Mac addicts. At the same time it is true I will be buried with my classic Macs.

Privacy/security concerns?

Thanks!

Chuck

Update