Mac air 2018 security question

I use Macs even older than that for the same purposes. Apple still issues XProtect updates for them; the latest one was installed a few days ago. This assumes you selected "Install system data files and security updates" in System Settings, as everyone should.

Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community remains as applicable as it has ever been. Device security is only good as the user's approach to it.

Part of security is also making sure you are running newer software, including apps. Apple tends to drop app support for older macOS versions, for example Safari. Look into using an alternative browser that still gets updates. I know that Firefox keeps them going for much longer than Apple.

altvanny wrote:

Hi, I have a Mac Air 2018, on Sonoma 14.8.9. It no longer receives software updates, and since the September release of Golden Gate, it no longer receives security patches. I was wondering how safe it is to still use for banking and overall computer use? I don't use it for work, and it has a degraded battery.

I am using still a 2015 iMac now and then, including for some banking and financial transactions, and it can run Monterey, macOS 12, e.g. it is two versions older than yours. Yours will still receive security updates and it remains resilient from a security perspective. I would put extra emphasis on good computing practice and not making user mistakes (clicking on unverified links, opening email attachments whose pedigree is not certain, avoiding phishing attempts ...) which is how most malware gets installed. Be cautious whenever something (an email, a web site) tries to get you to click on something). Be very cautious whenever you are requested for your user password.

To be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL, you can create a new administrator user, verify that you can log in as that admin user normally, and then make the user account you mostly use a non-admin user. I don't do this myself, but it makes it even more unlikely you can do yourself harm.

If it makes you feel any better, we still have a 2013 Macbook Air "beater" laptop we use mostly when traveling. It is on Big Sur and I still consider it secure. My 2010 MacBook Air is mostly retired although I do boot it up every few weeks to make sure it still works; it is on all original equipment.

Just so you don't think me a luddite, we do have an M5 2026 Macbook Air on Golden Gate.

One thing to watch for: as time goes on, some web sites may stop functioning properly under older macOS versions. I see this on Monterey, especially for certain financial web sites. But I can get around that by using a current version of the browser, such as Firefox or Chrome (I avoid Chrome when possible). The Monterey and Sonoma versions of Safari are not kept up to date anymore so they will eventually fail on a growing number of web sites. Maybe you haven't seen this on Sonoma but I do see it on Monterey (and of course, Big Sur).

"Mac air 2018 security question: Hi, I have a Mac Air 2018, on Sonoma 14.8.9. It no longer receives software updates, and since the September release of Golden Gate, it no longer receives security patches. I was wondering how safe it is to still use for banking and overall computer use? I don't use it for work, and it has a degraded battery."

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Backup your Data ASAP:

With a degraded battery, I would most certain recommend that you create a Time Machine Backup of your Mac for data recovery proposes (through Migration Assistant).

altvanny wrote:

it has a degraded battery.

On that topic, our 2013 MacBook Air had a failed SSD and battery marked "needing service." This was in 2020, when it was 7 years old. Eventually, I took it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider and they had me purchase a new battery from OWC/Macsales and also a replacement SSD. When I got the parts, I brought them to the AASP and they replaced the failed parts with these new ones. The laptop ended up with 4x its original storage capacity and the new battery lated about 2x as long as its original (when new). This laptop still works, so we got at least another 5 years of use from it. The cost for the new battery and SSD was about $125 and the labor charge for the AASP was $75. So the total was $200. I am guessing today, in 2026, if you proceed down that path the cost will at least double. But in our case, that laptop is still running well and working, albeit it seems slow compared to newer computers!

Some will say, never spend money to repair an 8 year old computer. Which is a valid perspective. You can probably use it as and just connect to a charger always, like a desktop. But you can also see if replacing the battery is even feasible, it might or might not be. Unfortunately, these replacement batteries tend not to be as reliable as the originals, although my one and only instance has worked out well. If the battery is swelling or causing any time of unevenness around the keyboard or track pad, or the laptop does not sit totally evenly on a flat surface, or the lid doesn't close seamlessly all the way, those might be indications of a swollen or degraded battery that should be replaced, or no longer used.