Some folk on here regard me as an Apple basher. However, I have never "bashed" their hardware or software. (Just their morals)
I have to say that the OP could find lots of work-arounds for his/her issues.
Apple forced me to upgrade my Appstore password. For that I am grateful, and marginally impressed. I wish others did the same. I now have a password that is better than my normal attempts. Big tick for Apple.
The OP should set up a password. Not too difficult.
They also allow me to operate all the Apple devices in the Ancient household with zero, none, nothing in the way of Credit cards. If I buy anything, I have to enter one, but that is My decision, not Apple's.
The OP needs to ensure that the auto-updates that they want are the free ones, not the paid-for ones.
Simples.