I have been using Gmail for about 3 years now and have been very happy with it.
Until now.
During the last one week I have experienced something strange with Gmail. On 3 occasions, I was automatically logged out of Gmail and when I tried to log in again I was greeted by the following message.
The message reads:
Our system indicates unusual usage of your account. In order to protect Gmail users from potentially harmful use of Gmail, this account has been disabled for up to 24 hours.
If you are using any third party software that interacts with your Google Mail account, please disable it or adjust it so that its use complies with the Google Mail Terms of Use. If you feel that you have been using your Google Mail account according to the Terms of Use or otherwise normally, please contact us using this form to report this problem.
I am sure I did nothing that could be called ‘Unusual Usage’ unless checking your mail 10 to 20 times a day can be called unusual. I tried to login a couple of times but the same result.
I was really scared to read the part that says ‘this account has been disabled for up to 24 hours.’ I was expecting some important mails and I just couldn’t wait for 24 hrs.
Fortunately, when I tried after 10 mins, I was able to login and things were back to normal.
I tried looking up the problem on the web (using Google, what else?) and it looks like I am not the only one who has had the problem. A lot of people are grumbling about it in recent times.
I hope Google sets right the problem soon. I wouldn’t want to risk not being able to check my mails when I want to.
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ru using GSPACE firefox extension, if u use it, it may happen. It happened to me once.
Holy cow! It just happened to me. I don’t do anything unusual at all – just leaving a Firefox tab open with Gmail loaded. Although I have been using Emoze on my E65, but I’ve been doing that for a month now. I used to use a Blackberry so I’m sure checking from a mobile device and downloading a half-dozen emails at a time isn’t the problem.
For the record, it’s been 30 minutes and I’m still in “lockdown.”
Just happened to me as well this morning. I also use emoze, as well as have gmail logged in on 2-3 PCs (1 home, 2 at work) 24/7 and use gSYnchit to synch my google calendar with outlook (using google’s published API).
Same here… locked out.
Was uploading files to MY account.
Not much use for all that space when they start making unreasonable restrictions as to how we use it.
Hey google,
Remember a little company called yahoo who though they could treat people any way they wanted?
They aren’t number one any longer. Maybe that’s the way google is heading.
I got the message… I only check my email online… no other use…, but I constantly recieve a warning from my antivirus saying “Worm detected…”
Hi , same problem with my account too. yes, previously I used to keep my accoung logged in at my office system and then also at my home pc and thought this might be related to that. After getting locked in cuple of times I made it a point that I logout of my office system before i log into my home pc, but the problem still exists. I have no clue what is going on. i was very happy with gmail until this started to happen. Even the customer service people reply with the same standard message “This account has been locked down due to unusual account activity. It may take up to 24 hours for you to regain access.
Unusual account activity includes, but is not limited to:
1. Receiving, deleting, or downloading large amounts of mail via POP in a short period of time.
2. Sending a large number of undeliverable messages (messages that bounce back).
3. Using file-sharing or file-storage software, browser extensions, or third party software that automatically logs in to your account.
4. Leaving multiple instances of your Gmail account open.
5. Browser-related issues. Please note that if you find your browser continually reloading while attempting to access your Inbox, it’s probably a browser issue, and it may be necessary to clear your browser’s cache and cookies.” i hope gmail takes care of this situation soon.