Google Disabled My Account

I thought I’d share this in case anyone else has a similar experience… I was quite happily using my Google Mail account, had a few other tabs open and was using Google for a few other services.  Then I had this screen appear as Google disabled my account.

You can click to make it larger

That was a bit of a shock and quite scary, I use Google for Email (but I have back up…) Analytics, Adwords, AdSense, Maps, iGoogle, Alerts, Blogger, Picasa and a load of other service (thanks Google), but I am VULNERABLE – again and I try so hard not to be.

Even my Android Phone was completely disconnected, no Google service there.

Luckily though, I suppose largely because it was my first time, I was able to enter my mobile a SMS text message sent through – my mobile contract was luckily uninformed or unaffected.  My next screen shot is for reference really to see the process I used to get things back to normal.

And then finally – back to normal with this screen shot:

They made me use a new password – which to be fair it is about time I did.

The causes:  well I guess this is what happens when Google think you’re being Hacked… what have I done… actually too things today oddly enough:

1. I tried out http://www.gmail-backup.com/ – I am looking at a better more efficient way to back up than via Outlook and POP
2. I also happened to experiment with http://www.dyndns.com/. I would like to be able to get access to my computers via an external service – it carries risks I am sure.

So here’s why I think Google acted the way they did.  I’m on Dynamic IP with my ISP – that’s normal – but the DynDns system is linked to my Router to maintain and external facing IP – in-other-words my router is going through DynDns servers as well as my ISP.  Secondly because it’s the first time I have used Gmail Backup I am guessing my account has been hit with a bigger than normal demand and has triggered Google into action.

Solution – ditch DynDns quick and restrict Gmail back up to incremental only… comments welcome..