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Forum Discussion
Solved
False Firmware Update Alert
I have two Netgear Routers; the D7800 in this post and a WN3000RPv3 extender.
Today I received an email with the following Headers:
From: NETGEAR Security <security@e.netgear.com>
To: <my correct email address>
Subject: Important Security Firmware Update from NETGEAR
However, when I checked, neither of my devices has an update available.
Is this a scam or has Netgear Security's email server thrown a wobbly? It doesn't seem like a scam, because a bad actor or would then be expected to provide a tainted firmware image, but the email simply linked to the Howto page.
If there are updates, then I certainly want to apply them
I've just spotted something in the email that I had missed (the text is very small and my eyes are dim).
The attached screenshot shows the Version numbers that the updates cover. These are the versions that I installed about a week ago so Netgear aren't pre-empting updates they're simply sending the reminders late!
12 Replies
Do Not Trust email for this kind of stuff....
This is a scam.
additude wrote:Do Not Trust email for this kind of stuff....
This is a scam.
If it's a scam, then that is extra worrying. How did the scammer get hold of my email address? I have a SOHO Web and Mail server account with a major Web hosting Company and create a different email address for every company that I do business with. If the message had been sent to one of my other addresses, then I would have know immediately that the message was a scam, because any message from Netgear would have used the address that I registered my products with. This message used the correct address and not only that, the sender knew exactly which router products I own....
Hmmm. While I was mulling this over, I got a sense of deja vu, so I looked back through my earlier posts and discovered that I had exactly the same thing happen last September and I had posted an almost identical query (I am getting old you know).
On that occasion, the message was correct, but the Netgear servers weren't offering the updated firmware to the Router when the 'Check for Updates' button was pressed, even though it was on the Support Website. This time there is no updated firmware available for either of my devices on the Support Website either, so I can only assume that updates are on the way but haven't made it to the servers yet.
So. Netgears's mailserver throwing a wobbly is looking favourite at the moment.
I've also just received the email alert for the X4S R7800.
It's nonsense. The firmware in the link offered is not new at all - it is v1.02.62 dating from many months ago. Incidentally, that firmware release isn't recommended. I've discovered a serious bug in it, detailed by me on this forum but nobody took any notice.
Due to more and more bugs being introduced at each release - as many as those being supposedly fixed - many people revert to previous releases like v1.02.60 and v1.02.58!
Comical isn't it? Well, more tragedy really.
I suspect Netgear's outsourced firmware contractors have left the building and turned out the lights. Senior management haven't yet realised.
