Current CANADIAN firmware?

[Mogal]

Hey all, I just picked up a Note 8.0
I didn't realize it was so, well, "old" lol. It just seems like an awesome little device

It shipped with JB 4.1.2 and there is no update available according to the unit or Kies.
I guess I'm mostly worried about the security issues with the older firmware.
(and well, hey, new features are nice too!)

I tried to contact Samsung support, but they dodge the question and will not answer ANYTHING
related to firmware support, upgrades or availability of them. (CANADA)

Should I be worried about the older firmware? (security)
How risky (and hard) is rooting the device, and flashing to Kitkat 4.4.2?
Is there a specific firmware for the Note 8.0 due to the Spen?
- or even 4.2.2 (due to the SD read/write issues)

Thanks,
Chris

 

[sonician]

There's supposedly a new 4.3 or 4.4 update being release for the Note 8, but I don't think anyone in Canada has seen it yet.
It's been annoying talking to Samsung Canada about it too, as they don't say much of anything at all.