Ask HN: Gmail account security

Article summary

The author is having trouble accessing their rarely used Gmail account due to Google's security measures, which are preventing them from signing in despite knowing the password. The author is unable to access the account even with the recovery email code. This issue is frustrating for the author, who is seeking a solution. The author wonders if this is a common problem for users who get a new phone and computer in the same year.

Main themes

• Gmail security issues
• Alternative email providers
• Email hosting and customization
• Security measures and restrictions
• Fastmail and JMAP
• Self-hosting and email control
• Social engineering and hacking risks
• APIs and email protocols

What commenters say

• Some users have experienced similar issues with Gmail's security measures and have been unable to access their accounts despite having the correct credentials.
• Using a VPN to access the account from a familiar location may help resolve the issue.
• Paying for a custom domain and email hosting can provide more control and flexibility than relying on free Gmail accounts.
• Google's security measures can be overly restrictive and may block legitimate access attempts, leading some users to consider alternative email providers.
• Fastmail is a popular alternative to Gmail, offering a paid email service with a professional support department and contributing to open-source email technologies.
• Some users prefer to host their own email servers to avoid relying on third-party providers and to have more control over their email security.
• Social engineering attacks can be a significant risk for email accounts, and even two-factor authentication may not be enough to prevent hacking attempts.
• Fastmail's API and JMAP protocol are more comprehensive than Gmail's API, making it a more attractive option for developers and power users.