Beth Sh
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: secure browsers for Apple

I have been getting notices lately saying that I needed to update my browser ( Safari 5.1) or that my browser is not "supported". It is suggested I update/download  Chrome or Moxilla Foxfire. I once had a phone conversation with an Apple support person who told me that I should only use Safari. He even navigated me through a Chrome site which didn't appear as secure. Now, as you can tell, I know very little about technology. My son says that Safari is just propaganda because it is an Apple favored website.  I am very concerned about security. Some notices have said that Safari is not secure... I would appreciate advice about what I should use.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 13, 2015 12:18 PM

by Niel,Solvedanswer
Niel Niel
Level 10 (312,761 points)
Mac OS X
A:

1. Your computer is compatible with Yosemite.

2. View the site in basic mode, and then use the tables on it. This only involves looking up information and won’t do any damage even if somehow messed up.

 

(122272)

Posted on Feb 13, 2015 1:30 PM

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Beth Sh

Q: secure browsers for Apple

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Feb 13, 2015 12:23 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 10 (312,761 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 13, 2015 12:23 PM in response to Beth Sh

    You should upgrade the computer’s OS or switch browsers. The Snow Leopard version of Safari is no longer receiving security updates.

     

    (122267)

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Feb 13, 2015 12:25 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 9 (53,621 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 13, 2015 12:25 PM in response to Beth Sh

    To upgrade Safari, you will need to upgrade the version of OS X install on your Mac. Currently you are four major version behind which if are truly concerned about security is not a good thing to run a growers and operating system that old.

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 12:34 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 12:34 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Not surprised that I am behind. I am concerned, but I am very ignorant about this. Do I need to purchase the upgraded version? Do I go to the Apple store for assistance? Not even sure what "growers" means. Thank you for continued advice.

  • by my ginger,

    my ginger my ginger Feb 13, 2015 12:45 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 4 (2,472 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 12:45 PM in response to Beth Sh

    Hi. Don't know what year Macbook Pro you have,but here is the system requirements for Mountain lion.http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202575 Here is for Yosemite. http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475 Go to the apple app store for yosemite it is a free download. Use your apple id.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Feb 13, 2015 12:52 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 7 (27,397 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 13, 2015 12:52 PM in response to Beth Sh

    Lets take it one step at a time.

     

    Since you have 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard) you have different options depending on the model of Macbook you have.

    If your Macbook is supported, you can update directly to Yosemite, through the Mac App Store App, at no cost.

    This will give you the most uptodate OS with the most up to date security updates. And the most up to date Safari browser.

     

    You can check here to see if your Macbook Pro qualifies.

    http://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/

     

    If its not supported for Yosemite, you may still be able to update to Lion. You would need to buy Lion for $19..99 from the Online Apple Store, and then download it again through the Mac App Store App.

    http://store.apple.com/us/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

     

    If your Mac is not supported for either of these, then your next best choice is either Firefox, or Chrome. They are the top browsers in the industry.

     

    With that said, internet security is more about what yo do online, then what browser you have.   Basically any browser will have secure connections to websites that have them.  But basic security practices start wih you. i.e don't go to dodgy websites, don't give out your information to unknown sites, and don't do sensitive operations on public networks (i.e banking in coffee shop wifi), don't download strange software etc..

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 12:47 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 12:47 PM in response to Niel

    How do you upgrade the OS? Which browser is more secure? Not sure what is meant by the Snow Leopard no longer receiving security updates. Sorry about these questions, but I don't know these things and don't have anyone to help.

  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Feb 13, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 13, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Beth Sh

    The Firefox browser may be your better bet, since it sees updates when Safari does not

    among older OS X systems. The word in a previous post that threw you, was Browser

    with a typo G as first letter. I've gotten to be good at deciphering some content.

     

    Before you seek to upgrade a Mac OS X, be sure the computer can actually run the

    later system, and that your in-use software can be used on a later OS X. Some can't.

    And the computer may require a hardware upgrade (more RAM, + larger Hard Drive.)

     

    Be sure to make several kinds of backup archives of your computer content, to be

    sure nothing is lost at anytime, and that an upgrade event doesn't lose your data.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

  • by Phil0124,Helpful

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Feb 13, 2015 12:51 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 7 (27,397 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 13, 2015 12:51 PM in response to Beth Sh

    Beth Sh wrote:

     

    How do you upgrade the OS?

    I explained it above.

    Beth Sh wrote:

     

    Which browser is more secure?

    They are all essentially the same in terms of security.

     

    Beth Sh wrote:

     

    Not sure what is meant by the Snow Leopard no longer receiving security updates.

    It means that any holes or problems that can lead to breaches or hacks are no longer being fixed or patched for that version of OSx. Snow Leopard is the name of OSx 10.6.8 .  Your operating system.

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 1:02 PM in response to my ginger
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 1:02 PM in response to my ginger

    I have been looking in the "About this mac" and can't find the year! Do you know where it would say?

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 1:12 PM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 1:12 PM in response to Phil0124

    I checked the link about upgrading to Yosemite, but can't find the year I have. Quite frankly, I don't feel confident enough to download/upgrade myself. I don't do banking in a coffee shop, only use computer at home for sensitive operations. I think I will visit the Apple Store, at least I have some vocabulary to use. Just hope they don't sell me things I don't need. Thanks for your help.

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Feb 13, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 10 (312,761 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 13, 2015 1:17 PM in response to Beth Sh

    Choose About this Mac from the Apple menu, click on More Info, and check the model identifier against the following, which are the earliest Macs of each type that can run Mountain Lion and newer:

     

    iMac7,1

    MacBook5,1

    MacBookPro3,1

    MacBookAir2,1

    Macmini3,1

    MacPro3,1

    Xserve3,1

     

    A Mac older than those listed which has a Core 2 Duo(not Core Duo) or better CPU and at least 2GB of RAM can run Lion. Neither Yosemite nor Lion support PowerPC software such as Microsoft Office 2004; click here and check your applications for compatibility before upgrading.

     

    (122268)

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 1:28 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 1:28 PM in response to Niel

    I have a MacBookPro5,4 with an Intel Core 2 Duo, 4 GB memory (is that Ram?). I clicked your "here" to check applications for compatibility. I can't do that - that stuff is over my head. I'd do more damage than good. Sorry to be frustrating...

  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Feb 13, 2015 1:30 PM in response to Beth Sh
    Level 10 (312,761 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 13, 2015 1:30 PM in response to Beth Sh

    1. Your computer is compatible with Yosemite.

    2. View the site in basic mode, and then use the tables on it. This only involves looking up information and won’t do any damage even if somehow messed up.

     

    (122272)

  • by Beth Sh,

    Beth Sh Beth Sh Feb 13, 2015 1:38 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2015 1:38 PM in response to Niel

    Thank you, Niel. I'll just stop here. I'll make an appointment with the Genius Bar. I started and they want some info thinking maybe a "chat or phone" can solve my issue. They don't know what they are getting into, ha! You've been very patient.