topic Re: Strange update message in Android

Strange update message

paulbacon — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:23:04 GMT

Got what i think was a push notification today and on the lock screen it just said "information message". Anyway clicked it and a popup opened saying to update my version of android by going to settings etc. Didnt give a link just an OK button. Click it and it went away

Anyway just looked online and seems a few other users having the same message over the past few days. The fact it contains spelling mistakes makes me wonder ifi ts legit

Here is the link with a screenshot of the message - http://forums.androidcentral.com/general-help-how/664816-software-update-information-message-legitimate.html

Anyone got one? Im very careful what i install and download/browse on my phone and all apps downloading through Play Store

Re: Strange update message

Cleoriff — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:28:58 GMT

Maybe @MI5 can help with this issue @paulbacon?

I have had nothing like this on my Android phone...

Re: Strange update message

Bambino — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:31:23 GMT

That isn't the way update notifications are received. DO NOT download anything from it. I've never had an update come to me like that.

Re: Strange update message

paulbacon — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:31:41 GMT

Seems odd that quite a few users have experienced it over on Androidcentral over the past few days, and the popup doesn't give any link to click like malware normally does

Re: Strange update message

paulbacon — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:32:41 GMT

@Bambino wrote:
That isn't the way update notifications are received. DO NOT download anything from it. I've never had an update come to me like that.

Thats the thing it doesnt give you a link to download from, it just says go into settings and update manually. There isnt an update button just an OK button which makes the notification disappear

Re: Strange update message

Bambino — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:39:00 GMT

Google doesn't send out misspelled notifications addressed to 'Dear Customer'. It sounds very suspicious to me. If you have the Malwarebytes app on your phone, run it. If you don't, then download it and run it.

Re: Strange update message

MI5 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:42:13 GMT

I've not seen it myself, but it's doing nothing at all in terms of threatening the phone.
Going to the place it advises will just check for regular OE software updates so it can't hurt you at all.
It may be just a rogue OTA notification but it's perfectly harmless either way.

Re: Strange update message

paulbacon — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:46:14 GMT

Cheers MI5 put my mind at rest abit. Spelling mistakes, aswell as the path being incorrect (there is no 'Device Information' option in settings its "About Device) made me wonder

Any idea how these push notifications get pushed to your phone if no dodgy app is installed? I only have a handful of apps and they're all stuff like Facebook, Twitter etc so know they're safe

Re: Strange update message

MI5 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:49:22 GMT

It could be (most likely) the ROM itself sending the message as a reminder to check for updates (some people don't have automatic updates turned on).
It isn't uncommon for there to be spelling mistakes or outdated info left in ROM's when they are updated.

Re: Strange update message

Cleoriff — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:00:19 GMT

@paulbacon wrote:

I only have a handful of apps and they're all stuff like Facebook, Twitter etc so know they're safe

Well now @paulbacon...Facebook and Safe aren't two words I would use in the same sentence ...however that's irrelevant as you have been reassured by @MI5

Re: Strange update message

Bambino — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:11:09 GMT

Well I have never received a notification that has spelling and grammar mistakes like that, and I'd still run a check for malware. It only takes a couple of minutes and it can't hurt.

Re: Strange update message

paulbacon — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:26:19 GMT

Run a scan and all came back clear

MI5 helpful as always....thanks

Re: Strange update message

MI5 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:33:12 GMT

No worries mate.

Re: Strange update message

Martin-O2 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:53:40 GMT

I had one of these messages a few days ago. Dismissed it and had no other issues but as others have advised above its worth running a virus scan to be on the safe side.