Problems with GMail account

Legacy_user

I've been having a bit of trouble with my gmail accounts this morning. For some reason although I was signing in from the exact same place and the same computer that I usually sign in, google had detected me as signing in from somewhere else, and prevented me from getting in to my email account. When I later managed to get in, I saw a message saying they had prevented someone from hijacking my account!

The same happened with the extra account I keep as a back-up and recovery email address. Gmail no longer support security questions, so I wasn't even able to answer a secret question and get in to the accounts that way.

I appreciate them being vigilant, but to lock me out of both accounts is a bit concerning. Does anyone know if this is the same with other web-based email accounts, or if there is a better alternative to googlemail out there?

My Yahoo email account was once actually hacked, so I am wary of using them again..

Niv

I find Hotmail works well for me. You can set up security questions and link a phone number to it so that if you forget your password you can get a code sent to you r phone to reset the password.

I find that quite useful as I regularly forget my password as I stay signed in via my mobile so if it logs out for whatever reason it is time to reset!

Edit : oh forgot to add, I think the outlook app is pretty good/ user friendly too.

grumpycrab

If you have standard Google accounts you can set up a 2-step authentication (assuming its security that you're concerned about)
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/180744?hl=en

paddyrg

2FA - 2 factor authentication, 'something you have plus something you know' will protect you from hijack risk. Google support it with your mobile number or a mobile app.

System

I was happy with the level of security. It was Google who were suspecting that something was amiss, when it wasn't. For some reason they had a wrong location and ISP for me, although I was using the same computer that I always use, and in the same location.

cookie365

Connecting over a home network? Your IP address had probably changed.

System

cookie365 wrote: »

Connecting over a home network? Your IP address had probably changed.

I log in from my computer at home. I thought your IP address is determined by your router?

debitcardmayhem

avogadro wrote: »

I log in from my computer at home. I thought your IP address is determined by your router?

Nope it is determined by your ISP , especially if you reboot/switch off your router or in certain cases your ISP messes around with their settings in the telephone exchange twice a week

System

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

Nope it is determined by your ISP , especially if you reboot/switch off your router or in certain cases your ISP messes around with their settings in the telephone exchange twice a week

I never switch off the router, but I'm not sure what plusnet do at their end!

paddyrg

Or it really might have been someone trying to log into your account, it happens a lot. They try to log in, then email all your friends and contracts telling them you're on holiday in Nigeria, been mugged, in hospital with bills to pay, and the hotel have locked you in a kennel until you pay in cash... begging for money to be sent urgently via Western Union to the 'hospital' or 'hotel'.

I still strongly recommend 2FA, it is free and frankly I could give you my username and password and you still couldn't log into my account.

System

It's doing the same again this morning.:mad: I try to get into my Gmail account and I get the following message:

Verify it's you
Something seems a bit different about the way you're trying to sign in. Complete the step below to let us know it's you and not someone pretending to be you. Learn more.


If it's going to do this every time, I'm going to look for another email provider. I can't be doing with having to enter my mobile number and have them text me a code every time I want to use my email account.

Apropos I can't see how entering a text number would prevent fraudulent use of the email address anyway. Someone hijacking the account could just give them their own mobile number. (Google don't have my phone number)

paddyrg I will look into 2FA but I don't know if it will stop this particular problem I'm having.