iMac Skype forced update

I'm getting a similar "forced" notification. A dialog box with a single "Download Now" button, which I am unable to dismiss! The only way to close this without clicking the "Download Now" button is to force close the Skype application!? If I don't do this I am unable to shutdown my Mac. The option to "Quit Skype" from the normal menu is greyed out. Is this how Skype normally behaves? It's very scam-like (and very intrusive at best), so I am very reluctant to proceed with this.

"...update to their new version for which I would need Maverick."

I've not tried to upgrade Skype, however, the system requirements (https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA10328/what-are-the-system-requirements-for-sk ype) states that the latest version of Skype for Mac requires "Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or higher" - not Maverick? (I don't have Maverick either and have no intention of updating the OS at the current time either.)

If you haven't already, in Skype Preferences>General tab, you could try de-selecting 'Always keep Skype up-to-date'.

If the OP's problem is anything like mine, then when I get the "modal" dialog box (as above) prompting to update - which appears as soon as Skype runs - I am unable to access Preferences since the option is simply greyed out (as well as all other options for that matter)! The only options I seem to have available are to "Force Quite" or [Download Now]!?

Also, the version of Skype that is offered as a "new version" is version 6.3 - this is not the latest version!? Yet, I have OS 10.6.8, which reportedly supports the latest version of Skype (according to the above system requirements)!?