Locked account.....Again!!!

[seanmarson111]

For the third day in a row, I’ve received a text saying, “It looks like someone tried to access your email account without permission.”

I’ve checked my machine for any signs of compromise, and everything appears to be fine. I suspect this may be due to my use of a VPN, as the email server could be detecting logins from different locations and devices (iphone) around the world in quick succession. 

The issue is that, due to my work, I have no choice but to use a VPN. I’ve been using one for the past six years without any problems.

Has something changed recently that could be causing issues with VPN usage?

While I appreciate the strong security features of BT Email, it’s becoming increasingly frustrating to have to reset my password so frequently.

[Kimberlin]

@seanmarson111  Obviously, unaware of what VPN provider you use and equally unaware of how your depth of knowledge is of the differing VPN protocols and how they work, but have you tried experimenting with the different protocols available?

How do you employ your VPN? Is it at router level or via a desktop or mobile phone application? Is the VPN App the latest version? Is your PC software, drivers and anti-virus all up to date?

I’m not going to go into an in depth monologue here because the information is fully available to consume via a simple Google search, but it may be that you need to find the most appropriate protocol i.e. Wireguard, IKEv2 or OpenVPN for your particular operational needs.

I use a VPN myself and depending on what I want to access through it, whether that be banking or streaming, I sometimes have to change the VPN protocol to maintain access.

[seanious]

Hi Kimberlin, strange I thought I replied the other day but can't see it.

So, I have two devices that I use for email, my phone and workstation. Both have VPN's on but sometimes not always enabled. It's not been a problem for the last 5 years I've been doing this. I work 8000 miles away from the UK for part of the month and then back to uk and do this all year round. I'm not sure why only now I have this issue.

I reset my password and set both my VPNs to be on all the time, however I just found out my account is locked again.  It's a pity they won't say why its locked other than they say its suspicious. My guess is, my vpn is showing me in all sorts of places, again, never been an issue before.

So off I go to reset the password for an 8th time.

Hope this makes some sense

Sean

[Kimberlin]

8000 miles away? Not down the Falklands are you? 😆 No, don’t say, none of anyone’s business.

I take it then that you aren’t using the same VPN location every time you connect? I have to admit, when I’m away, I always use a VPN server that indicates I’m in the UK and so far, I’ve never had any issues. Not sure what else to suggest. I hope you sort it 👍

[seanious]

Hi Kimberlin, 

Sounds like you've been to this neck of the woods, guessed correctly.

So with both VPN's both set to UK ended up with another lock. I've now disabled both VPN's to which should in theory show same location. It's been ok for about 2 hours so we'll see.

[Kimberlin]

@seanious  Because of where you are and where I think you might be, I'm not going to delve any deeper. Been there, done that. See what happens with the set up you now have and hope for the best.

Give my regards to the penguins!