How do I ensure security on my iMac with macOS Monterey 12.7.6?

My iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) running Monterey 12.7.6. What is the best way forward for security?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: security / virus guard

iMac 27″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 1, 2026 2:55 AM

Reply
5 replies

Nov 1, 2026 2:20 PM in response to Leon W

In addition to the great advice provided by @dialabrain, you will eventually need to use a third party web browser if you need to access websites since Safari is becoming outdated with the ever changing Internet & online threats. Currently all major/popular third party browsers still support macOS 12.x Monterey such as Firefox, Vivaldi, etc.


It is hard to say for how long these third party developers will continue to provide Intel versions of their apps.

Nov 1, 2026 9:43 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats wrote:
HWTech wrote:
Currently all major/popular third party browsers still support macOS 12.x Monterey such as Firefox, Vivaldi, etc.
•
Current versions of Firefox and Opera will run on Monterey.
Firefox requires Catalina or later.
• Opera requires Monterey or later.
Current versions of Brave, Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Vivaldi now require Ventura or later.

Thanks for the correction. Your post triggered my memory of reading it, but forgot.


Seems the last compatible version of Vivaldi is v8.1 released in Aug. 27, 2026. Once the Google developers update the Chromium engine to drop support for older OS versions, all of the other browsers using Chromium must do the same as it is too much work for them to keep support for older OS versions. I guess Opera is the exception. Too bad it creates a huge trove of working systems that can no longer get online. I understand their motivations as well.


Firefox seems to be the best browser choice for outdated & unsupported operating systems. I stopped using Opera at v12.x (best browser version ever) once the company was sold to the new Chinese owners who ripped it apart. I finally went with Vivaldi created by one of the original Opera co-founders.....it isn't the same, but it is the best option for me these days as all other browsers drive me crazy.

How do I ensure security on my iMac with macOS Monterey 12.7.6?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.