what help is available for seniors?

Today at Apple is a good resource for learning about your Mac, as was mentioned above. They offer free product-related classes, including classes for Mac, and for using some Apple apps.

Apple also has a Youtube channel with lots of short videos on many topics: https://www.youtube.com/@Apple

Local senior services may also have some suggestions, as well.

I wouldn’t bother loading add-on anti-malware. The built-in anti-malware and using apps from the Apple app store does quite well for avoiding issues, and the add-ons aren’t incrementally better. They can be incrementally worse. Sometimes the add-ons can be much worse.

The most common issues we’re encountering are scams and phishing too, and not viruses and hackers. The fake popup “you have (3) viruses!” scans (and websites cannot scan your Mac), the “Apple Store purchase blocked!” scam, the ever-persisting “pervert” scam, and the endless toll-highway-charge and package-delivery scams. None of which involve anything on your Mac, though the scammers can claim that.

Here are a few of the many schemes: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

PS: many of the upper-level folks posting regularly around here are seniors.

jclaybourne wrote:

I am a senior with limited computer experience. What is best mechanism to get help?

I would start here:

Mac - Official Apple Support

And here:

Mac User Guide - Apple Support

If there is an Apple Store near you, you can also sign up for various workshops:

Today at Apple - Apple

But you're really going to learn the most by just trying things out. Unless you hit your computer with a hammer or dump a cup of coffee on it, you're not going to hurt. Look at all the menu options. Go through all the settings and see what's available to change. Open an app like Pages and start typing something. Use the Help menu in applications.

And come back here with specific questions.

xWauwau wrote:

You should probably still be cautious when using Safari, downloading ”free_malwarebytes.exe“ will by chance not result in anything good for your MacBook. Just wanted to attach.

Downloading "free_malwarebytes.exe" on a Mac wouldn't do much of anything. Windows executable files don't run on Macs.

If you want to use the free version of Malwarebytes, go directly to the Malwarebytes website and download it from there.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

It depends on what you plan on using your MacBook for, and how your personal situation is. As we do not know the specifics, we can only give advice based on common prejudices, like maybe considering turning your text size up or something like that. I would recommend asking a relative if you’d need help with anything, probably they can provide the best support in this case.

Hello~ What type of help do you need?

~Katana-San~

You should probably still be cautious when using Safari, downloading ”free_malwarebytes.exe“ will by chance not result in anything good for your MacBook. Just wanted to attach.

thank you!