New scam?

[jeepster2007]

I received this today. Probbly a scam - yes?

Subject: Robert, action recommended: update your browser today
To: *********************************
Date: Monday, June 6, 2011, 10:27 AM

Update your browser today to help keep your PayPal account secure. Having trouble viewing this email? View online or text version

		Hello <name removed>, It looks like you may be using an outdated browser with known security issues.  Help keep your computer and your PayPal account protected by updating your browser today.

	© 2011 PayPal Inc. All rights reserved. PayPal is located at 2211 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95131.

[Bewarefreind]

I followed PayPal's Golden Rule for dealing with suspicious e-mails: "PayPal will never ask you to download an attachment or software".

The link in the e-mail led to a "security site" in which I was instructed to "take a moment to download a safer browser".

Although this is "exciting" to you, it is maddening to everyone else.

Of course, like most folks here, all of my browsers are current. Please answer a question that was not addressed in your post: How and when did PayPal monitor or upload data from my computer in order to analyze my browsers? Further, is Paypal monitoring any other software on my system?

My business could not afford to deal with a virus/malware right now, so I had to spend two hours researching until I found PayPal's condescending response.

Because of PayPal's odd approach to making its administrators happy, I now get to explain to my six-year-old why I missed his end of the year talent show.

PayPal owes everyone a clear and unequivocal public apology, not a "big thank you".

Wonderful.

[Nicsplace]

I have been informed that the email I received is valid.  Thanks for replying to my email Paypal.

[JonG]

bewarefreind:

While I appreciate (and even mostly agree) with your expressed sentiments, there is one thing that you are incorrect about.

It takes no spyware, malware, or even installed software to find out what browser you are using.  When you access any web page, on any server, anywhere on the internet, your browser reports it's name, version, and a whole host of other information.  It requires nothing more than a simple variable check on PayPal's part to see what browser, and what version you are using.

The more troubling thing is that they chose to send out this eMail long after some people had accessed their site, as well as sending to people that had the latest version of the browser.  I also monitor a PayPal accounts for 4 clients, and I received this same eMail at every account (that would be 5) that is attached to a PayPal account. 

There was no targeting of this eMail, and they published a lie with "we notice that you are using a browser..."

This is NOT a misunderstanding, nor a mistaken send on PayPal's part.  This is a bald-faced lie.  I wish they would just admit it as such and not keep dancing around how they were trying to help us.

[cpc65]

I too assumed it was a very clever scam. Good intentions but poorly thought out and executed, and as the saying goes, "The road to....uh, Heck is paved with good intentions."

Well, at least this shows many of your customers are savy!

[PayPal_Adrian]

Hello everyone!

Unfortunately, this thread has drifted off topic with personal attacks.  As such, we're going to have to lock the thread.

Adrain

[jwellsgnr]

I reported the "browser update" message as a scam.  I'm awaiting Paypal's response, but I guarantee it's not from Paypal.  First, there's no way all the browsers illustrated could have a security problem.  Second, all the browsers send out their own update notifications.  I'm sure the sender only wanted Paypal login info.  If you're concerned that your browser might need an update, login to your browser's tools or update section and check for available updates.  That way, you're safe on both counts.