Enabling LESS Secure Apps on Gmail: A Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Gmail is one of the most widely used email services, and it’s essential to keep your account secure. However, there are some apps that can pose a security risk to your account. LESS secure apps are apps that don’t require a password or two-factor authentication to access your account. While they may seem convenient, they can also be a security risk. In this article, we’ll show you how to enable LESS secure apps on Gmail.
What are LESS secure apps?
LESS secure apps are apps that don’t require a password or two-factor authentication to access your account. These apps can be used to access sensitive information, such as your email account, or to send emails on behalf of your account. However, using LESS secure apps can put your account at risk of being compromised.
Why should you enable LESS secure apps on Gmail?
Enabling LESS secure apps on Gmail can help you to:
- Access your account without a password: If you need to access your account from a public computer or a device that doesn’t have a password, enabling LESS secure apps can help you to do so.
- Send emails on behalf of your account: If you need to send emails on behalf of your account, enabling LESS secure apps can help you to do so without having to enter a password.
- Use apps that don’t require two-factor authentication: If you need to use an app that doesn’t require two-factor authentication, enabling LESS secure apps can help you to do so.
How to enable LESS secure apps on Gmail
To enable LESS secure apps on Gmail, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the Gmail settings
- Go to the Gmail settings page by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Click on "Security" from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Enable LESS secure apps
- Scroll down to the "Less secure app access" section.
- Click on the toggle switch to enable LESS secure app access.
Step 3: Add apps to the list
- Click on the "Add an app" button.
- Enter the name of the app you want to add.
- Click on the "Add" button.
Step 4: Set the app’s permissions
- Click on the "Permissions" tab.
- Select the permissions you want to grant to the app.
- Click on the "Save" button.
Table: Enabling LESS secure apps on Gmail
| App Name | Permissions | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | Read and write: Read and write files in the Google Drive. | Access your Google Drive account without a password. |
| Google Docs | Read and write: Read and write documents in Google Docs. | Access your Google Docs account without a password. |
| Google Sheets | Read and write: Read and write spreadsheets in Google Sheets. | Access your Google Sheets account without a password. |
| Google Calendar | Read and write: Read and write events in Google Calendar. | Access your Google Calendar account without a password. |
| Read and write: Read and write posts on Facebook. | Access your Facebook account without a password. | |
| Read and write: Read and write tweets on Twitter. | Access your Twitter account without a password. |
Important notes
- Enabling LESS secure apps can put your account at risk of being compromised. Make sure you only enable LESS secure apps that you trust.
- You should only enable LESS secure apps that you need to access your account. If you don’t need to access your account, it’s best to disable LESS secure apps.
- You should regularly review your LESS secure app list to ensure it’s up to date. If you find any apps you don’t need, remove them from the list.
Conclusion
Enabling LESS secure apps on Gmail can be a convenient way to access your account, but it’s essential to use them responsibly. By following these steps and being mindful of the apps you enable, you can help to keep your account secure. Remember to regularly review your LESS secure app list to ensure it’s up to date and only enable apps that you need to access your account.