Solved Internet Explorer 9 being detected as I.E.7 by web sites

[fireberd]

I have this posted in the browser section but want to run this by the security guru's.

I have a client with Win 7 64 bit and I.E.9. He gets messages from many sites, including pay pal, that either he has I.E.7 and should upgrade to a later browser.
I can access the same sites and do not get the messages.

The paypal site message is:
Update your browser: It looks like you're using an older browser that may have known security issues. Help protect your account

I've verified he has I.E.9. I had him run malwarebytes and MSE and neither report anything. I also had him run CCleaner but that didn't help.

Could it still be some type of malware?

 

[marsmimar]

Does he happen to have the "Display all websites in Compatibility View" check marked?

1. Open IE.
2. Click Alt key on the keyboard > click on Tools in menu bar.
3. Select Compatibility View Settings.
4. Remove the check mark for "Display all websites in Compatibility View" and close the Compatibility View Settings window.
5. Close IE > Reopen IE > visit PayPal

Could also be an add-on causing problems.

How to manage add-ons in Internet Explorer 9

Reset Internet Explorer settings in Internet Explorer 9

 

[fireberd]

That was something else I had him check and there was nothing in Compatibility View. I also had him reset the Advanced settings and that did nothing.

 

[marsmimar]

Hmm... definitely a strange one. I think what I might do if it was my machine is make a restore point, or better yet, a system image. Then check to see if IE9 can be uninstalled from View Installed Updates > Uninstall An Update. (This may not be possible if IE9 was pre-installed. The OEM manufacturer may have removed IE8 completely. Uninstalling IE9 under those circumstances could leave the computer without a browser to revert back to.)

But if you can completely uninstall IE9 and go back to IE8, I'd use the registry cleaner in CCleaner if you haven't already done that. Then run a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two) just to make sure there's no damaged or corrupt system files (which could have damaged or corrupted the IE9 files.) If the scan finds any problems, run it 3 times, rebooting in between each scan. Then I'd try reinstalling IE9 on a (hopefully) clean Windows 7 platform.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

It doesn't sound like a malware issue to me, especially since Malwarebytes and MSE didn't show anything. Of course, you could always run some additional free on-demand scanners like Hitman Pro, Superantispyware, ESET Online Scanner, etc just to play it safe.

 

[fireberd]

The PC has been upgraded, by me, from Vista 64 bit to Win 7 64 bit. I don't know if he can fall back to a previous browser version or not. I would have to do it for him as his computer skills are limited.

Running I.E. with no add ons didn't help either.

I'm going to have him do a System Restore (if there is a restore point available back when it did work) and see if that helps.

 

[A Guy]

A long shot

Open IE> F12 (Developer Tools)> Top menu Browser Mode, and Document Mode both IE9?

A Guy

 

[fireberd]

Thanks, I'll have him check that.

BTW, I looked at mine and its set for I.E.9 browser mode but I.E.7 document mode - its never been changed so apparently how Microsoft sets the default mode.

 

[fireberd]

That didn't work. His browser, with F12 shows I.E.9.

 

[A Guy]

Thanks, I'll have him check that.

BTW, I looked at mine and its set for I.E.9 browser mode but I.E.7 document mode - its never been changed so apparently how Microsoft sets the default mode.

Yes, that's how mine was set as well

A Guy

 

[A Guy]

Googled like crazy, lots of people complaining about Paypal and youtube saying they are using IE7. But the answer has always been either the compatibility view, or the activex filtering. Does your client have x64 version? they might try the x64 IE to see if they get the same message. A Guy

 

[fireberd]

The 64 bit was next on my list. I've had him run with no add ons (and nothing set in compatibility view). This is a recent (last couple of weeks) problem and I had him fall back with System Restore but that didn't change anything (he's back to current as I had him "undo" the System Restore).

I did read that it could be the site, as there is code that a site can run to detect what browser is running. Only thing sites such as paypal where he is having the problem is not detecting all incorrectly. His wife's PC's I.E.9 is detected correctly. I'm on the same ISP as the client and mine is detected correctly (which would eliminate an ISP issue).

 

[fireberd]

User doesn't have 64 bit version of I.E.9 installed. I'll have to have him install it and see what happens.

 

[fireberd]

Fixed! An I.E. reset per Microsoft KB923737

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737​

 

[A Guy]

Ahhh, a different method then marsmimar posted, which we usually reccommend. I'll have to bookmark that. Good job

A Guy

 

[marsmimar]

Whew! Took a while but I'm glad to hear things are fixed. As Bill said, I'm going to bookmark KB923737, too.