More Secure Gmail Authentication

Google has a new settings page that lets you enable or disable access to less secure apps.



"Some devices and apps use insecure sign-in technology to access your data. Choosing Disable prevents these less secure devices and apps from accessing your Google Account. Choosing Enable increases your chances of unauthorized account access but allows you to continue using these less secure devices and apps."

Many mail apps use insecure sign-in standards: the Mail app for iOS 6 or below, the Mail app from Windows Phone 8.0 or earlier, some built-in mail apps for Android not developed by Google, desktop mail clients like Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird. If the access to less secure apps is disabled, you'll see a "Password incorrect" error when signing in.



A Microsoft article explains that "Google has increased its security measures to block access to Google accounts after July 15, 2014 if those accounts are being set up or synced in apps and on devices that use Basic Authentication." Another article informs that "Windows Phone builds earlier than 8.10.12359.845 [Windows Phone 8.1] use Basic Authentication and therefore may be impacted. Windows Phone builds later than 8.10.12359.845 use Open Authentication (or OAuth) and therefore will not be impacted".



{ Thanks, Herin. }