While Norton (or any antivirus software) can provide some layers of protection, relying solely on it for a Mac running an expired macOS like Monterey is not a sufficient or recommended security strategy.
Here’s why and what it means:
What Norton CAN do:
- Malware Detection and Removal: Norton can scan for and remove known malware, viruses, adware, and ransomware. It maintains a database of these threats and can detect them regardless of the macOS version.
- Real-time Protection: It can offer real-time scanning of files as you download or open them, providing immediate alerts for suspicious activity.
- Firewall: Many Norton suites include a firewall that helps control incoming and outgoing network connections, adding a layer of network security.
- Phishing Protection/Safe Web Browse: It often includes features that warn you about malicious websites or phishing attempts, helping to protect you from social engineering attacks.
What Norton CANNOT do (and why it’s a problem):
- Patch Operating System Vulnerabilities: This is the critical weakness. Apple regularly releases macOS updates that patch newly discovered security flaws (called vulnerabilities or exploits) within the operating system itself. These vulnerabilities can be in Safari, core system services, kernel, frameworks, and more. When macOS Monterey stops receiving these updates, Norton cannot patch these underlying system flaws.
- Protect against Zero-Day Exploits: A “zero-day” exploit is a vulnerability that hackers discover and exploit before the software vendor (Apple, in this case) even knows about it, let alone releases a patch. If your OS is already unsupported, you’re even more exposed because you won’t get future patches for these, even if they are discovered and patched for newer macOS versions.
- Compensate for Outdated Browser Security: While Norton can help with web filtering, if your Safari browser (which is tied to your macOS version) is also outdated and no longer receives security updates, it can become a vector for attacks. Modern web browsers (like Chrome or Firefox, which often update independently) are generally safer in this regard, but even they might have limitations on very old OS versions.
- Address Firmware Vulnerabilities: Some deep-level security issues can reside in the Mac’s firmware. Only Apple can patch these.
- Ensure Compatibility: Over time, other software (including Norton itself) may eventually drop support for older macOS versions, leading to performance issues or the security software itself becoming outdated.
The Bottom Line:
Think of it like this: Norton is a strong lock on your front door. But if your house has holes in the walls, broken windows, and a leaky roof that the “landlord” (Apple) is no longer fixing, that lock won’t protect you from every point of entry.
Recommendations:
- Upgrade macOS: The absolute best way to protect your Mac is to upgrade to a currently supported macOS version (Sonoma or Ventura) if your hardware allows it. This ensures you receive critical security patches directly from Apple.
- Backup Data: If you absolutely cannot upgrade, regularly back up all your important data to an external drive or cloud service. This way, if your system is compromised, you can wipe it clean and restore your files.
- Practice Safe Computing:
- Be extremely cautious about what you click on, download, or install.
- Only download software from official sources (App Store, developer websites).
- Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication for all your online accounts.
- Avoid visiting suspicious websites.
- Use a modern, updated web browser like Chrome or Firefox, as they often receive independent security updates even if Safari on your OS is outdated.
- Consider the Risk: If you use your Mac for sensitive activities (online banking, work, storing personal documents), running an unsupported OS is a significant security risk that a third-party antivirus cannot fully mitigate.