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Amazon Still Really, Really, Really Wants You to Install That Kindle Security Update

4179377274_6cced74f75_oBack in February of this year Amazon informed Kindle owners about a mandatory firmware update for all Kindle models.

That notice was accompanied by dire warnings that Kindle owners would lose the ability to download ebooks to their Kindle by the end of March 2016 if they didn’t install the update, but now it appears that the warnings were just a paper tiger.

I’ve just read that Amazon is sending out another round of reminder emails about that update. This is the second set of reminder emails in just over a month, and it makes me wonder just how many Kindle owners have yet to update their device.

The update in question changes a few small but important wireless security settings, so it’s easy to see why Amazon is continuing to remind Kindle owners. What surprises me, however, is that Amazon didn’t follow through and change its security on schedule.

Either Amazon fibbed on the time frame, or they’ve decided that they value customer satisfaction over security.

In any case, have you gotten the email recently?

O O O

If you’re wondering whether the email you got from Amazon was real, here’s the one I got last month:

Hello,

An important software update for your Kindle device "The Digital Reader’s 4th Kindle" is required to continue to download your books and use Kindle services. This update will ensure wireless coverage so you can continue to have the best possible reading experience.

To update your Kindle wirelessly, follow these steps:

1. Turn wireless on by sliding the wireless switch on the back of your device to the "On" position, or by pressing the Menu button from the Home screen and then selecting "Turn Wireless On".
2. Plug your Kindle in to charge during the update.
3. Leave your wireless on and the Kindle plugged in overnight.

While the device is asleep, the software update should download and install automatically. Your device may restart multiple times during the update process. You will receive a final confirmation letter once the update is completed.

While the device is asleep, the software update should download and install automatically. Your device may restart multiple times during the update process. You will receive a final confirmation letter once the update is completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I no longer have one or more of my devices?
If you no longer have or use one of your Kindle devices, deregister it from your account today. First, go to www.amazon.com/mycd and log into your Amazon account. Click on the Your Devices tab and select the Kindle device you want to deregister. Click Deregister.

How can I get help on updating my Kindle devices?
You can contact Customer Service by using the Contact Us option in the left-hand column of our Kindle Support pages at:

www.amazon.com/kindlesupport

Thank you for reading with Kindle, and be sure to turn wireless on regularly to receive all future software updates.

image by Matt Mordfin

 

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Comments


flur August 26, 2016 um 2:10 pm

Does anyone know – if you have your kindle hacked to take custom wallpapers, will the update break that?

Nate Hoffelder February 10, 2017 um 10:56 am

I was told that it does not.


Seth Williams August 26, 2016 um 8:42 pm

My guess would be there are many people that got a Kindle as a gift or impulse buy that keep it in a drawer a and never touched it since the first week they got it. Either it was too complicated or they just plain didn’t adopt it. Therefore there are MANY Kindles that will never see the update. Many people are really not that savvy in tech to understand or care about this update.


BDR August 27, 2016 um 12:47 am

Were Amazon friendlier in its approach to jailbreaking, there’d be far less incentive for not updating. I’ve an original jailbroken Paperwhite which is happily using KoReader and it’s still my favorite Kindle. No way that I’m giving that up for an updated firmware providing almost no advantage.


unconcerned August 27, 2016 um 3:05 pm

The update only installs a new cacert for the amazon/kindle store at least on the kindle3 and dxg.


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