Q: Macbook Pro 10.6.8 out of date.

Switch to Firefox or upgrade the computer’s OS.

To upgrade, open the Mac App Store and try downloading El Capitan. If you get told that it's incompatible with your computer or otherwise desired, choose About this Mac from the Apple menu, check if the computer has at least a Xeon or Core 2 Duo(not Core Duo) CPU and 2GB of RAM, and if it does, click here and order a download code for Lion 10.7; the online Apple Store also sells download codes for Mountain Lion 10.8, but it has the same system requirements as El Capitan.

Back up your data and check your applications for compatibility before upgrading. In particular, Mac OS X 10.7 and newer don't support PowerPC programs such as versions of Microsoft Office prior to 2008.

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If you run into trouble trying to use the App Store, Apple has just released an update for Snow Leopard which supports continued use of the App Store.

You can download and install the latest Mozilla Firefox browser from their help site:

• How to download and install Mozilla Firefox on a Mac - Firefox help:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-download-and-install-firefox-mac

Also, note the App Store update for Snow Leopard 10.6.8 won't help upgrade

a Safari browser or any items not being supported; but may help third party app

continued development. And the next higher OS X is not bought via App Store.

Good luck & happy computing!

You could further identify your MacBook Pro build model version and specification

so any additional upgrade to the hardware can be researched; it may be able to

use more RAM (memory chip update, new parts) & or a larger capacity hard drive

which may help the computer work more freely. And there are other items that can

add performance in the realm of hardware upgrade, but only if one knows what the

model specification and series details are.

• How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

This helps to identify with most detail, the actual computer you have there, since

the brand name and MacBook Pro doesn't say a whole bunch; those names are

re-used for several different hardware builds and they've seen changes regularly.

Also, by identification, you may learn what OS X past 10.6.8 your Mac can use.

{There are options short of El Capitan that may work better on slower older Mac

Book Pro models; some users prefer Mountain Lion 10.8.5; it is a purchase from

Apple Store online, the product uses download code to get OS X 10.8 or Lion 10.7

from the online App Store; the fee is about $20 for either. Plus updates, to these.}

A general place to look at good examples of hardware upgrade parts for the Mac

and this is a page link for Portable computer products. macsales aka OWC:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/powerbook-ibook-macbook/

Good luck & happy computing!

edited

The App Store does not seem to have upgrade replacement parts listed; the OWC macsales

site does offer correct upgrade and replacement parts, helpful update upgrade videos, and

staff that can often offer advice without commitment to buy anything.

App Store is software, and only for supported OS X versions that can access it.

Hardware for an older Mac is not likely to be found even in an Apple Store itself.

The Genius can help inspect, identify, and possibly do troubleshooting but usually

older hardware models of Apple gear are not serviced in the Apple Stores; you

would consider discussing hardware upgrades (new parts for performance, etc)

with an Apple Authorized Service Provider; and then expect parts plus labor.

Depending on which MacBook Pro build model year you own, a guide exists here:

• MacBook Pro repair guides - iFixit.com:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro

You could use an iFixit guide to upgrade some or perhaps all the parts yourself;

but the methodology may be beyond your comfort zone. A quality proven good

backup of the computer's hard drive contents is advised. A replacement drive

is best set up in advance of any physical changes to the computer itself; so it

could be prepared ahead of any take apart; an expert would do this.

• Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store Genius Bar
• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider

If you have the product serial number available when you talk to someone such as macsales

(link in previous post) they can most correctly identify the computer and suggest correct part

numbers; be familiar about your computer before considering an upgrade in hardware or in

software. The computer may only be able to upgrade to Lion 10.7.5, if it is an early MacBook.

To really know which one your MacBook Pro is exactly, would be helpful to us.

Not sure what else to say...

I feel I've listed way too much!

The model should be relatively easy to upgrade as far as possible

and cost less than even a cheap PC given the amount of time a

MacBook or Mac can last; and not require antivirus or other items

to be installed in the OS X.

Performance issues sometimes find their cause in user choices;

if you let too much stuff be stored in the computer hard drive and

do not archive extra content you save to an external drive; so then

you can delete or Trash items otherwise filling the hard drive, it

will get too full for the OS X and applications to function...

Also, maintenance is almost minimal; compared to windows much less.

However a portable computer hard drive may last up to 5 years on average

and as such, the upgrade to new replacement parts of higher capacity is a

good way to make the computer run like new. And a new battery can be a

way to help performance, because some models will go into a low CPU

speed mode if the battery is bad or missing.

So if the costs are a consideration, find time to read about how to maintain

the computer and then upgrade the hardware; before any OS X upgrade.

Most of my Macs are at least 10 years old. My most recent bought a year

ago, at a clearance listing at Apple online, a Mini Late 2012 model. Older

ones are here and most all of my (nine?) present models can still work;

two are set up and in use daily. My other one on, sleeping, is a 2005 Mini.

It is the last model before Intel-based Mac and has G4 PowerPC hardware

& runs no later than 10.5.8 Leopard. (A 'Late 2005' with 1.5GHz G4 CPU)

So the computer you have isn't beyond useful purpose, it needs a refresh.

Good luck & happy computing!

Most Macs do not get malware or virus; however there are several articles and valid opinions

on the definitions of those kinds of bad effects and how to avoid them. Careful browsing is a

fair way to consider using the internet; since it has never been safe and your computer and OS

is only as safe as you know how to use it. Mac OS X has quite a bit of security going for it... if

you don't happen to avoid the responsibility as a user (and choose to set up your mac for best

use of any security afforded by OS X, not disable or avoid practices that make it safer.)

The older Macs from pre-2006 that don't run Intel core processors, used IBM/Motorola/Apple

PowerPC architecture and were quite good; people still use those online even now, with systems

that have not seen security update or Safari update for a long time. I have a few of those here;

their age is a problem, but some innovative persons have developed and support browsers that

can help keep them working, where the internet is concerned. Yet, their better purpose is in doing

tasks offline where costly & high quality software is still in use; that do not require the internet.

Files can be shared with later models or devices to sent over the internet, in those too old.

You may be able to find more answers if you find the authorized Apple service providers & some

of them sell older restored computers and can repair ones the Apple Store won't. There are

Apple User Groups in many cities, especially in most of the US.

Tech Guides (Malware, Adware, Performance)

http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-guides/

As to inquiring about Anti-Virus, Malware, and Adware, etc you may need to start a New question

for that topic. Some web sites cover the general interest, but may be outdated. Avoid mackeeper

and other ones that want to sell you a service; avoid the pop-ups that have an 800 number and

are considered phony 'hostageware' scams. Most issues in the Mac OS X come from the users

browsing habits and by going to untoward and sketchy download sites for applications. Badware.

And avoid non-maker sites for things such as Flash Player, (I don't even use it in my Macs; the

newer browsers including Firefox, use HTML5 and good sites have moved away from Flash.)

Anyway, now is near 1AM so I've going offline.

Good luck in keeping your MacBook in a state of good repair... + healthy!