Google is making sure its users remain secure at all times, thanks to the growing number of attacks through Gmail.
The company is generating a final reminder in the form of a four-week deadline that ensures users take their security more seriously across its Workspace. To be more specific, users have until the end of this month (September 30) to access their Gmail app through less secure means. This term is for apps owned by third parties or those devices requiring simple usernames and passwords for sign-ins. After this date, you can no longer use insecure means for access as Google wants to limit the risks attached.
Antiquated sign-in techniques like those highlighted above-put users at serious risk of having their accounts compromised. This is because it entails sharing credentials with other apps and devices belonging to third parties.
Gmail support for these apps is getting dropped and at the same time, Google Sync is getting discontinued. While the news is nothing new as Google first issued the warning related to this last year, the decision to amp up the strictness of adhering to a deadline has taken some by surprise.
So if you’re an avid Google user like the rest of us who have Gmail, Calendar, and Contact accounts, you need to hurry up before the deadline crosses. And we do realize that you might think that Google is just out there to make your life harder. However, that’s not the case.
It’s just solving the issues linked to account authentication that really make the entire landscape for Gmail so unsafe. Remember, the issue of less secure apps has been around for a while so kudos to the Android maker for finally doing what was necessary a long time back.
Google’s statement on this front was very clear-cut. Starting September 30, all access to less secure apps will be discontinued until more secure access is utilized. This means logins done through Workspace accounts featuring Google Sync, CalDAV, IMAP, POP, and CardDAV no longer provide support for a single password-based credential when logging in.
So the question remains, if you’re a Gmail user, what steps do you need to take? Google already deleted less secure app settings from its Workspace Admin Console before. But end users must take action or they’ll get error messages informing them about usernames and passwords being incorrect.
Outlook 2016 and older users must shift to Microsoft 365 or Outlook for Mac or Windows as they support safer access. Meanwhile, those using Thunderbird will have to add all Google accounts again to make sure it uses IMAP alongside OAuth.
Last but not least, those using iOS Mail, MacOS, and Mac Outlook must remove and then re-add accounts. This is for those who aren’t sure if they’re making use of Sign in With Google.
Google also spoke about how users having personal Gmail accounts cannot toggle IMAP through settings only. This is only enabled through OAuth so current connections cannot be impacted.
Read next: YouTube Gives Creators More Control Over Designs For Shorts Thumbnails
The company is generating a final reminder in the form of a four-week deadline that ensures users take their security more seriously across its Workspace. To be more specific, users have until the end of this month (September 30) to access their Gmail app through less secure means. This term is for apps owned by third parties or those devices requiring simple usernames and passwords for sign-ins. After this date, you can no longer use insecure means for access as Google wants to limit the risks attached.
Antiquated sign-in techniques like those highlighted above-put users at serious risk of having their accounts compromised. This is because it entails sharing credentials with other apps and devices belonging to third parties.
Gmail support for these apps is getting dropped and at the same time, Google Sync is getting discontinued. While the news is nothing new as Google first issued the warning related to this last year, the decision to amp up the strictness of adhering to a deadline has taken some by surprise.
So if you’re an avid Google user like the rest of us who have Gmail, Calendar, and Contact accounts, you need to hurry up before the deadline crosses. And we do realize that you might think that Google is just out there to make your life harder. However, that’s not the case.
It’s just solving the issues linked to account authentication that really make the entire landscape for Gmail so unsafe. Remember, the issue of less secure apps has been around for a while so kudos to the Android maker for finally doing what was necessary a long time back.
Google’s statement on this front was very clear-cut. Starting September 30, all access to less secure apps will be discontinued until more secure access is utilized. This means logins done through Workspace accounts featuring Google Sync, CalDAV, IMAP, POP, and CardDAV no longer provide support for a single password-based credential when logging in.
So the question remains, if you’re a Gmail user, what steps do you need to take? Google already deleted less secure app settings from its Workspace Admin Console before. But end users must take action or they’ll get error messages informing them about usernames and passwords being incorrect.
Outlook 2016 and older users must shift to Microsoft 365 or Outlook for Mac or Windows as they support safer access. Meanwhile, those using Thunderbird will have to add all Google accounts again to make sure it uses IMAP alongside OAuth.
Last but not least, those using iOS Mail, MacOS, and Mac Outlook must remove and then re-add accounts. This is for those who aren’t sure if they’re making use of Sign in With Google.
Google also spoke about how users having personal Gmail accounts cannot toggle IMAP through settings only. This is only enabled through OAuth so current connections cannot be impacted.
Read next: YouTube Gives Creators More Control Over Designs For Shorts Thumbnails
