To enable your Gmail account to send email notifications from CCTV equipment (regardless of the brand name), you must now create a distinct third-party app password.
While many other email providers still permit the use of your regular password for third-party apps or devices, Google has implemented this as a new security measure and no longer allows it.
Setting up the unique third-party app password in your Google account is a straightforward process. Below are the steps to guide you through the setup.
App Password for your Gmail account (and use it in Security Cameras)
Step 1: Begin by accessing your Google Account and locate the “Security” option in the left-hand pane.
Step 2: In the “Signing in to Google” section, check if 2-Step Verification is enabled.
If not, simply click on the option and follow the on-screen instructions to activate it. This additional security layer helps protect your account from unauthorized access.
Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions provided to enable 2-Step Verification successfully. This process involves setting up an extra step for account verification, adding an extra shield to your account’s security.
Step 4: After enabling 2-Step Verification, you will notice the “App passwords” section below it. Click on this option to proceed.
Step 5: During this step, you will be prompted to enter your Google account password for verification purposes. Rest assured that this step helps ensure the security of your account.
Step 6: To proceed, choose “Other (Custom name)” from the “Select app” dropdown menu. Assign a distinctive name to the app password that will help you identify it easily.
Once done, simply click on the “GENERATE” button. This step is essential in generating a unique and secure 16-letter password, specifically designed for your device.
Step 7: After clicking “GENERATE,” Google will display the exclusive 16-letter app password created for your device. Keep this password safe, as you will only need it for configuring your NVR’s email settings.
To ensure no mistakes are made, copy the password securely. While you do this, it’s advisable to keep the page open in case you need to refer back to the password at a later stage.
Step 8: Connect to your security camera or recorder through a web browser and proceed to paste or enter the new app password you generated in the previous steps. Remember to save the changes to ensure your new settings take effect smoothly.
Additionally, during this process, you will usually be prompted to provide a username, which in this case is your Gmail email address.
This step helps ensure the proper authentication of your account when setting up email notifications, alerts, and other services that require a working email address.
To facilitate the configuration, it’s essential to have the correct SMTP server details. For Gmail accounts, the SMTP server is smtp.gmail.com.
Depending on your email server’s security requirements, you will need to use one of the following port numbers: 465 for SSL encryption or 587 for TLS encryption. If your server doesn’t specify SSL or TLS, you can try either of the port numbers, as both should work seamlessly.
As an example, let’s consider setting up email notifications for a Hikvision device.
Navigate to the configuration menu and access the Network settings. Within the Advanced Configuration section, locate the Email settings. (So, the path is Configuration > Network > Advanced Configuration > Email).
Here, follow the instructions explained earlier, and don’t forget to specify the email addresses where you wish to receive the notifications.
For added assurance, consider using the “Send Test Email” option if available. By sending a test email, you can verify whether the new password and settings have been accepted successfully.
Once you initiate the test, the email should arrive in your Gmail inbox, confirming that your email notification setup is operational and securely linked to your CCTV equipment.
Step 9: Congratulations! Your new app password is now active and effectively enabling your CCTV device to send emails through Gmail.
For your convenience, all the app passwords you’ve generated are securely stored in the App passwords section within your Google account’s Security settings.
This feature allows you to keep track of the passwords you’ve created for various applications, ensuring easy access and management.
It’s important to note that while you can view the list of app passwords, you won’t be able to see the actual password itself.
Therefore, if you ever need to enter the app password again on your CCTV camera or recorder, you will have to delete the existing password from the list and generate a new one.
This ensures an added layer of security, as only you can create and manage these passwords.
