MSN Live Messenger 9.0 'scam'

[shakotan]

Had a pop-up this morning inviting me to download the latest version of MSN Messenger 9.0.

All was well until I was asked to text to get a code for the download.

MSN Messenger has previously been free, like Hotmail, however, in very feint text, I noticed the following...



Pretty easy to miss this if you're installing stuff in the background, like I do, and quickly click through stuff.

Pretty poor show from Microsoft, if you ask me, esp when a lot of kids use MSN and may not even see the 'small print'.

[spitfire-ian]

I would be inclined to think that it isn't a genuine Microsoft download.

[big_lad]

spitfire-ian said:

I would be inclined to think that it isn't a genuine Microsoft download.

+1...have you approached customer services..?

[Mars]

You had a pop-up or you clicked on something to provoke the pop-up?

I ask because none of the PCs I look after (30-ish) have had this.

[3sixty]

Doesnt look like a real Microsoft installer to me. The bit at top saying "You`re" instead of "You're" and also the word is total cost is six pounds. Surely its international and should state other currencies.. or at least be £6 rather than six pounds in words?

[spitfire-ian]

Looking at the microsoft site, Messenger 9 is still in Beta stage and is available free.

[The Moose]

If you google men messenger or equivalent, you will see the CPC ads at the top and it's URL is something like messenger.pro.

I nearly got caught out there too - barstewards!

The best thing you can do is find a keyword that shows their advert, check the given URL and click on it (each click costs them money!!)

Cheers

The Moose

[thebluebus]

The Moose said:

If you google men messenger or equivalent

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

[shakotan]

Ah bugger, it is a scam site, although worryingly it was from a popup from the toolbar, just like when you get a new Hotmail message?

Better run SpyBot and AdAware then!

Edited by shakotan on Monday 22 December 09:50

[alxce]

That has to be a scam although to give them credit they do have the release number correct at the top of the box.
I think you will find WLM beta concluded last week as I was advised to download the formal release and have done so. I can assure you the instructions from the MS site were nothing like this.

[TonyHetherington]

shakotan said:

Ah bugger, it is a scam site, although worryingly it was from a popup from the toolbar, just like when you get a new Hotmail message?

Better run SpyBot and AdAware then!

Edited by shakotan on Monday 22 December 09:50

Are you quite sure? I ask because some sites that I've visited (especially, urmmm, more specialist ones) have taken to having a blue square rise from the bottom right of the screen with messages, fooling you into thinking it`s your msn.

[The Moose]

thebluebus said:

The Moose said:

If you google men messenger or equivalent

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

grr - predictive text on the phone!!!!!

[V8mate]

Thanks for the heads-up. Have circulated warning to family's teenage contingent.

[Simpo Two]

3sixty said:

The bit at top saying "You`re" instead of "You're"

Sentence construction with a comma is wrong too.