Protect Your Gmail Account with App Passwords

Protect Your Gmail Account with App Passwords

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Error with Gmail Account in Mass Mailer Attack
3. Google's Discontinuation of Third-Party App Support
4. Alternative Option provided by Google
5. How to Enable the Alternative Option
   • Logging into Gmail Account
   • Accessing Account Settings
   • Enabling Two-Step Verification
   • Generating an App Password
   • Selecting the App and Device
   • Customizing the Password
6. Using the Generated Password
7. Additional Recommendations
8. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss an error that occurred in a video tutorial on mass mailer attack using the Social Engineering Toolkit. The error involves the inability to use a Gmail account for sending emails and other purposes due to changes made by Google. However, we will explore an alternative option provided by Google that allows users to continue using mail programs and perform the mass mailer attack. We will guide you on how to enable this option and generate a specific app password to ensure the smooth functioning of your mail activities.

Error with Gmail Account in Mass Mailer Attack

In the video tutorial, a Gmail account was used for sending emails and conducting a mass mailer attack. However, an error occurred after May 30, 2022, when Google discontinued support for third-party apps or devices that required signing in to a Google account using only the username and password. This error prevented the use of Gmail accounts for mail programs and the mass mailer attack within the Social Engineering Toolkit.

Google's Discontinuation of Third-Party App Support

Following the discontinuation of support for third-party apps, users encountered issues while attempting to use Gmail accounts for their mail activities. This change was implemented by Google to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. However, Google provided an alternative option that allows users to enable the use of mail programs and other apps through the generation of app-specific passwords.

Alternative Option provided by Google

To address the issue caused by the discontinuation of third-party app support, Google introduced an alternative option that involves enabling two-step verification for Gmail accounts and generating app passwords specifically for these mail programs or apps. By following this process, users will be able to continue using their Gmail accounts in the desired applications without compromising their account security.

How to Enable the Alternative Option

To enable the alternative option provided by Google, follow the step-by-step guide below:

1. Logging into Gmail Account: Begin by logging into your Gmail account, ensuring you have the necessary credentials.

2. Accessing Account Settings: Click on the "Gmail Account" option, which will lead you to a page where you can manage your Google account settings.

3. Enabling Two-Step Verification: Navigate to the "Security" option on the left-hand side of the page. Scroll down until you find the "Two-Step Verification" setting. Enable this option for your Gmail account to enhance its security.

4. Generating an App Password: After enabling two-step verification, scroll further down the page to find the "App Passwords" option. Click on it to proceed.

5. Selecting the App and Device: In the app password generation window, choose the desired app and device for which you want to generate a password. If the app or device is not listed, select the "Others" option and provide a custom name.

6. Customizing the Password: Enter a name for the app and the device you intend to use with the generated password, e.g., "Mass Mailer" for a virtual machine. Once done, click on "Generate" to create the app password.

7. Using the Generated Password: The system will generate a unique 16-letter password for your app or device. Ensure there are no spaces between the letters. Use this generated password instead of your Gmail account password when setting up or using the app, such as in the case of the mass mailer attack within the Social Engineering Toolkit.

8. Additional Recommendations: It is recommended to delete the generated app password once you have finished using it for your activity with the specific app or device.

Conclusion

By following the aforementioned steps, you will be able to overcome the error that occurred in the mass mailer attack video tutorial due to Google's discontinuation of third-party app support. Utilizing the alternative option provided by Google, you can enable the use of mail programs and perform the mass mailer attack seamlessly. Remember to follow the recommended guidelines for maximum account security.