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AOL Mail changes security notice on Mac

Has anyone recoved

a SECURITY NOTICE from AOL.net or AOL.com about an October 20,2020 Dealine to CHANGE APPLE MAIL security settings? I received such an email in one of 3 accounts from AOL.net - I have never seen aol.NET as an address... Only aol.COM. ---IS THIS LEGIT ?



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Aug 29, 2020 8:41 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Aug 30, 2020 10:49 AM

Yes, all AOL mail accounts are presently working just fine - My concerns are 1) what about these settings for continuing to use AOL inside apple mail, as they claim settings need to change BY OCT 20, 2020 ...and 2) was this message from AOL.net legitimate or a "spoof" or phishing that might need to be reported to APPLE, AOL or ??? - Thanks again

Similar questions

45 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 30, 2020 10:49 AM in response to BDAqua

Yes, all AOL mail accounts are presently working just fine - My concerns are 1) what about these settings for continuing to use AOL inside apple mail, as they claim settings need to change BY OCT 20, 2020 ...and 2) was this message from AOL.net legitimate or a "spoof" or phishing that might need to be reported to APPLE, AOL or ??? - Thanks again

Aug 29, 2020 6:49 PM in response to BDAqua

I don't know what ahead is- I got the email directly in my Apple Mail - below is a portion of AOL.Net email to me. Hope that helps.

THIS IS A PORTION OF THE "SECURITY MESSAGE" FROM AOL.NET  not AOL.COM 


Begin forwarded message:




From: AOL Member Services <AOLMemberServices@email.aol.net>


Subject: Important security notice for your AOL account


August 25, 2020 at 8:30:34 AM CDT


reply@email.aol.net" <reply-HP2v40000017425d01ee199cfb7f4bbc786c8077@email.aol.net>


We’ve noticed that you’re using non-AOL applications (such as third-party email, calendar, or contact applications) that may use a less secure sign-in method. To protect you and your data, AOL will no longer support the current sign-in functionality October 20, 2020.you will need to take one of the steps below to continue using your AOL Mail without interruption. 


Option 1: We recommend that you access your mail using our free AOL app for iOS and Android or simply go to mail.aol.com to access AOL Mail on the we


Option 2: Keep your current, non-AOL app, BUT follow a few steps to get it to sync with our secure sign-in method.





  • Others


  • 3: You can generate a one-time, unique password that will allow you to sign in to your account using your non-AOL email application. Once created, this password will continue to allow your app to securely sync your AOL email unless you sign out (or are signed out) from your app. You can find instructions on how to do this here

visit our help page.


The AOL TeamPrivacy Policy | Customer Support

© 2020 Verizon Media. 

Sep 17, 2020 5:34 AM in response to caninemiss

A bit late to the game, I usually delete these AOL emails but looked at this one these send and it's very confusing. By my reading, I see the following stuff (which I have NOT yet confirmed with AOL). I added some emphasis on my own:

  • "If you use AOL two-step verification or an older email app, you may need to use an app specific password to access AOL Mail."
    • My read on this is that if you use Mac Mail or an iPhone with a "recent" version of the OS and software, then you MIGHT be OK... there is NO definition of what "older email" means. So that's one thing to check with AOL. Will a current Mac running OS 10.15.x or iOS 13.x work? Or back to WHAT version will the simple steps work?
    • Also... The "if you use" OR "an older" comment seems to indicate that if you do NOT use two-step verification OR if you use a NEWER email app, then you are OK. But do you still need to recreate the account on your device?
  • "If you prefer to continue accessing your AOL email on your current third-party email application, including the default email application on your mobile phone, ..."
    • This is where they go into the process for all logins and passwords. But looking at the list, it appears that all that is required is to REMOVE the account from your device and Re-Add it again.
    • This will be a bit problematic for those who have a large cache of old mail (my wife has years of stuff in her inbox and online folders)... but having recreated her account on her Mac a few times over the years after upgrades, I believe all it takes is knowing your password... and time.
    • Folders that live on your Mac should stay put. The only folders that will drop and be recreated are those which are online on the AOL servers.
    • NOTE: IMHO, this is the easiest way to do it. Deleting your account from a device is simple, restoring it may take some hours, but everything contained in the online email (visible on their website) SHOULD (emphasis SHOULD) return.


Of course... it would be great for someone at AOL to confirm this...

Sep 17, 2020 6:58 PM in response to caninemiss

Yes, Apple Mail should be easier.


Whew, haven't used my AOL Addy in 18 years, but went through the new process, which is a few steps, one of which is...


How to use this app password

  1. Go to “System Preferences” on your Mac device
  2. Click on “Internet Accounts” and select your AOL account
  3. Click on “Details” to update your account info
  4. Copy the app password above and paste it into the password field


As long as you don't log out of WebMail if you use it at all, you shouldn't need worry.

Aug 29, 2020 12:00 PM in response to caninemiss

This is my original Q - this doesn't not seem legit I refer to the address ( .net ) and the reply to also .net rather than .COM

I believe this to be phishing AND WANT to know who to report it IF SO that ISSS legit - Thanks

PLEASE SEE THE AOL.NET message rec'd a few days ago- I brought this AOL account and others INTO MY APPLE MAIL PROGRAM YEARS AGO-


Tue, Aug 25 at 11:19 AM





Aug 29, 2020 8:13 PM in response to caninemiss

OK, there is am aol.mail.net


Network Records for: aol.mail.net

Whois query for: 51.138.5.6

Results returned from whois.arin.net:


inetnum: 51.136.0.0 - 51.138.255.255

org: ORG-MA42-RIPE

netname: MICROSOFT

descr: Microsoft Limited UK

country: GB

admin-c: DH5439-RIPE

tech-c: MRPA3-RIPE

status: LEGACY

mnt-by: RIPE-NCC-LEGACY-MNT

mnt-by: MICROSOFT-MAINT

created: 2015-05-21T17:18:28Z

last-modified: 2016-07-25T09:38:58Z

source: RIPE


So, I take it you're in Europe?

Aug 30, 2020 6:38 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks - good morning from Austin TX! OK so ?? maybe since there is an AOL.NET in Europe - Verizon is International? Maybe they "run microsoft 'whatevers' on their systems" ? Do you think maybe I wasn't scammed or phished or ???? I did finally call the number I had for AOL (for whatever long ago I was thinking?!?!?!?) and the gal said she was from Romania, which could still turn out to be another Nigerian Prince deal??? She wanted a credit card for me to speak to "support" to "help me" change my settings for apple mail - And,, without further info given besides who owned the Apple and the AOL account and no credit card (but she had probably nabbed my phone number I called from) I hung up- Let me understand more... there is a legit AOL.Net? part of AOL.com? Thanks for sticking with me on this. K9 Ms.

Aug 31, 2020 10:36 PM in response to caninemiss

AOL's new complicated requirement to continue email after 20 Oct 2020.....AOL reps response to my serious concerns...Read for yourself


Gabriel I


Hi there. I’m Gabriel. I’ll be

assisting you today.


11:34:00 PM


Hi Robert! Nice to meet you online!


11:34:31 PM


We no longer allow 3rd party email

clients to be able to connect with the AOL account if the connection it`s not

secure. So, if you are using an email client that does not access the AOL log

in page directly so your account can be accessed securely, you will need to use

an app specific password for that email application instead of your normal AOL

password to keep your account safe

11:35:10 PM


So, if you are not using the AOL app

on your iOS or Android devices, then most likely you will have to follow the

steps from the email


11:36:02 PM


Me


let me read this...thanks!


11:36:26 PM


Gabriel I


You`re welcome!


11:36:45 PM


Me


My concern is for an older friend

who has an apple android and she has an aol email account....I had to wait on

the phone one hour just to get to a rep...then another 40 minutes to do the 24

step process to set up the new password...my friend won't be able to do that...


11:39:24 PM


Gabriel I


Well, the instructions are in the

email for all devices. She can generate an app specific password and use that

instead of the normal AOL password or she can download the AOL app and use that

without any hassle


11:40:26 PM


Me


I have a Ph.D...and it took the rep

40 minutes to walk me thru the process...after the one hour wait to get to the

rep...it is not as easy as you say....


11:42:56 PM


Gabriel I


There are detailed step by step

guides for each device in the email sent to all members. Following those should

do it


11:44:15 PM


Me


Why then working with your rep did

it take 24 steps ...many of which were hard to follow...


11:45:35 PM


Gabriel I


Well, you need to remove the account

from your device, the go to http://login.aol.com/account/security

, generate an app specific password for your device and then add the account

back using the app specific password


11:46:44 PM


OR download the AOL app and use your

normal AOL password


11:46:58 PM


Or you can ask you friend to contact

us via chat and we can guide ehr


11:47:11 PM


Her*


11:47:15 PM


Me


Chat only works at 11

pm....yesterday I logged onto chat and waited over an hour and then it told me

no one was available...that didn't work....more in a minute


11:48:54 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:49:46 PM


Me


As you get closer to 20 Oct your

wait times are going to get much longer...more in a minutes


11:50:17 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:50:26 PM


Me


Over the weeks the minimum wait time

via phone is 45 plus minutes


11:50:58 PM


Gabriel I


Please ask her to contact us or ask

her to follow the steps from the email


11:51:09 PM


Me


I think the better option is to

switch to gmail


11:51:47 PM


Gabriel I


I`m sorry to hear that, but

ultimately that`s your decision and we respect it


11:52:05 PM


Is there anything else I can assist

you with at this time?


11:52:09 PM


Me


No you've helped me make my and her

decision....thanks

Aug 31, 2020 10:38 PM in response to caninemiss

This is what AOL told me



Gabriel I


Hi there. I’m Gabriel. I’ll be

assisting you today.


11:34:00 PM


Hi Robert! Nice to meet you online!


11:34:31 PM


We no longer allow 3rd party email

clients to be able to connect with the AOL account if the connection it`s not

secure. So, if you are using an email client that does not access the AOL log

in page directly so your account can be accessed securely, you will need to use

an app specific password for that email application instead of your normal AOL

password to keep your account safe

11:35:10 PM


So, if you are not using the AOL app

on your iOS or Android devices, then most likely you will have to follow the

steps from the email


11:36:02 PM


Me


let me read this...thanks!


11:36:26 PM


Gabriel I


You`re welcome!


11:36:45 PM


Me


My concern is for an older friend

who has an apple android and she has an aol email account....I had to wait on

the phone one hour just to get to a rep...then another 40 minutes to do the 24

step process to set up the new password...my friend won't be able to do that...


11:39:24 PM


Gabriel I


Well, the instructions are in the

email for all devices. She can generate an app specific password and use that

instead of the normal AOL password or she can download the AOL app and use that

without any hassle


11:40:26 PM


Me


I have a Ph.D...and it took the rep

40 minutes to walk me thru the process...after the one hour wait to get to the

rep...it is not as easy as you say....


11:42:56 PM


Gabriel I


There are detailed step by step

guides for each device in the email sent to all members. Following those should

do it


11:44:15 PM


Me


Why then working with your rep did

it take 24 steps ...many of which were hard to follow...


11:45:35 PM


Gabriel I


Well, you need to remove the account

from your device, the go to http://login.aol.com/account/security

, generate an app specific password for your device and then add the account

back using the app specific password


11:46:44 PM


OR download the AOL app and use your

normal AOL password


11:46:58 PM


Or you can ask you friend to contact

us via chat and we can guide ehr


11:47:11 PM


Her*


11:47:15 PM


Me


Chat only works at 11

pm....yesterday I logged onto chat and waited over an hour and then it told me

no one was available...that didn't work....more in a minute


11:48:54 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:49:46 PM


Me


As you get closer to 20 Oct your

wait times are going to get much longer...more in a minutes


11:50:17 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:50:26 PM


Me


Over the weeks the minimum wait time

via phone is 45 plus minutes


11:50:58 PM


Gabriel I


Please ask her to contact us or ask

her to follow the steps from the email


11:51:09 PM


Me


I think the better option is to

switch to gmail


11:51:47 PM


Gabriel I


I`m sorry to hear that, but

ultimately that`s your decision and we respect it


11:52:05 PM


Is there anything else I can assist

you with at this time?


11:52:09 PM


Me


No you've helped me make my and her

decision....thanks

Aug 31, 2020 10:40 PM in response to caninemiss

This is what AOL told me....25 plus year member...



Gabriel I


Hi there. I’m Gabriel. I’ll be

assisting you today.


11:34:00 PM


Hi Robert! Nice to meet you online!


11:34:31 PM


We no longer allow 3rd party email

clients to be able to connect with the AOL account if the connection it`s not

secure. So, if you are using an email client that does not access the AOL log

in page directly so your account can be accessed securely, you will need to use

an app specific password for that email application instead of your normal AOL

password to keep your account safe

11:35:10 PM


So, if you are not using the AOL app

on your iOS or Android devices, then most likely you will have to follow the

steps from the email


11:36:02 PM


Me


let me read this...thanks!


11:36:26 PM


Gabriel I


You`re welcome!


11:36:45 PM


Me


My concern is for an older friend

who has an apple android and she has an aol email account....I had to wait on

the phone one hour just to get to a rep...then another 40 minutes to do the 24

step process to set up the new password...my friend won't be able to do that...


11:39:24 PM


Gabriel I


Well, the instructions are in the

email for all devices. She can generate an app specific password and use that

instead of the normal AOL password or she can download the AOL app and use that

without any hassle


11:40:26 PM


Me


I have a Ph.D...and it took the rep

40 minutes to walk me thru the process...after the one hour wait to get to the

rep...it is not as easy as you say....


11:42:56 PM


Gabriel I


There are detailed step by step

guides for each device in the email sent to all members. Following those should

do it


11:44:15 PM


Me


Why then working with your rep did

it take 24 steps ...many of which were hard to follow...


11:45:35 PM


Gabriel I


Well, you need to remove the account

from your device, the go to http://login.aol.com/account/security

, generate an app specific password for your device and then add the account

back using the app specific password


11:46:44 PM


OR download the AOL app and use your

normal AOL password


11:46:58 PM


Or you can ask you friend to contact

us via chat and we can guide ehr


11:47:11 PM


Her*


11:47:15 PM


Me


Chat only works at 11

pm....yesterday I logged onto chat and waited over an hour and then it told me

no one was available...that didn't work....more in a minute


11:48:54 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:49:46 PM


Me


As you get closer to 20 Oct your

wait times are going to get much longer...more in a minutes


11:50:17 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:50:26 PM


Me


Over the weeks the minimum wait time

via phone is 45 plus minutes


11:50:58 PM


Gabriel I


Please ask her to contact us or ask

her to follow the steps from the email


11:51:09 PM


Me


I think the better option is to

switch to gmail


11:51:47 PM


Gabriel I


I`m sorry to hear that, but

ultimately that`s your decision and we respect it


11:52:05 PM


Is there anything else I can assist

you with at this time?


11:52:09 PM


Me


No you've helped me make my and her

decision....thanks

Aug 31, 2020 10:43 PM in response to caninemiss

This is what AOL told me...25 year member...


Gabriel I


Hi there. I’m Gabriel. I’ll be

assisting you today.


11:34:00 PM


Hi Robert! Nice to meet you online!


11:34:31 PM


We no longer allow 3rd party email

clients to be able to connect with the AOL account if the connection it`s not

secure. So, if you are using an email client that does not access the AOL log

in page directly so your account can be accessed securely, you will need to use

an app specific password for that email application instead of your normal AOL

password to keep your account safe

11:35:10 PM


So, if you are not using the AOL app

on your iOS or Android devices, then most likely you will have to follow the

steps from the email


11:36:02 PM


Me


let me read this...thanks!


11:36:26 PM


Gabriel I


You`re welcome!


11:36:45 PM


Me


My concern is for an older friend

who has an apple android and she has an aol email account....I had to wait on

the phone one hour just to get to a rep...then another 40 minutes to do the 24

step process to set up the new password...my friend won't be able to do that...


11:39:24 PM


Gabriel I


Well, the instructions are in the

email for all devices. She can generate an app specific password and use that

instead of the normal AOL password or she can download the AOL app and use that

without any hassle


11:40:26 PM


Me


I have a Ph.D...and it took the rep

40 minutes to walk me thru the process...after the one hour wait to get to the

rep...it is not as easy as you say....


11:42:56 PM


Gabriel I


There are detailed step by step

guides for each device in the email sent to all members. Following those should

do it


11:44:15 PM


Me


Why then working with your rep did

it take 24 steps ...many of which were hard to follow...


11:45:35 PM


Gabriel I


Well, you need to remove the account

from your device, the go to http://login.aol.com/account/security

, generate an app specific password for your device and then add the account

back using the app specific password


11:46:44 PM


OR download the AOL app and use your

normal AOL password


11:46:58 PM


Or you can ask you friend to contact

us via chat and we can guide ehr


11:47:11 PM


Her*


11:47:15 PM


Me


Chat only works at 11

pm....yesterday I logged onto chat and waited over an hour and then it told me

no one was available...that didn't work....more in a minute


11:48:54 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:49:46 PM


Me


As you get closer to 20 Oct your

wait times are going to get much longer...more in a minutes


11:50:17 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:50:26 PM


Me


Over the weeks the minimum wait time

via phone is 45 plus minutes


11:50:58 PM


Gabriel I


Please ask her to contact us or ask

her to follow the steps from the email


11:51:09 PM


Me


I think the better option is to

switch to gmail


11:51:47 PM


Gabriel I


I`m sorry to hear that, but

ultimately that`s your decision and we respect it


11:52:05 PM


Is there anything else I can assist

you with at this time?


11:52:09 PM


Me


No you've helped me make my and her

decision....thanks

Aug 31, 2020 10:48 PM in response to caninemiss

This is what AOL told me ..a 25 year member


Gabriel I


Hi there. I’m Gabriel. I’ll be

assisting you today.


11:34:00 PM


Hi Robert! Nice to meet you online!


11:34:31 PM


We no longer allow 3rd party email

clients to be able to connect with the AOL account if the connection it`s not

secure. So, if you are using an email client that does not access the AOL log

in page directly so your account can be accessed securely, you will need to use

an app specific password for that email application instead of your normal AOL

password to keep your account safe

11:35:10 PM


So, if you are not using the AOL app

on your iOS or Android devices, then most likely you will have to follow the

steps from the email


11:36:02 PM


Me


let me read this...thanks!


11:36:26 PM


Gabriel I


You`re welcome!


11:36:45 PM


Me


My concern is for an older friend

who has an apple android and she has an aol email account....I had to wait on

the phone one hour just to get to a rep...then another 40 minutes to do the 24

step process to set up the new password...my friend won't be able to do that...


11:39:24 PM


Gabriel I


Well, the instructions are in the

email for all devices. She can generate an app specific password and use that

instead of the normal AOL password or she can download the AOL app and use that

without any hassle


11:40:26 PM


Me


I have a Ph.D...and it took the rep

40 minutes to walk me thru the process...after the one hour wait to get to the

rep...it is not as easy as you say....


11:42:56 PM


Gabriel I


There are detailed step by step

guides for each device in the email sent to all members. Following those should

do it


11:44:15 PM


Me


Why then working with your rep did

it take 24 steps ...many of which were hard to follow...


11:45:35 PM


Gabriel I


Well, you need to remove the account

from your device, the go to http://login.aol.com/account/security

, generate an app specific password for your device and then add the account

back using the app specific password


11:46:44 PM


OR download the AOL app and use your

normal AOL password


11:46:58 PM


Or you can ask you friend to contact

us via chat and we can guide ehr


11:47:11 PM


Her*


11:47:15 PM


Me


Chat only works at 11

pm....yesterday I logged onto chat and waited over an hour and then it told me

no one was available...that didn't work....more in a minute


11:48:54 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:49:46 PM


Me


As you get closer to 20 Oct your

wait times are going to get much longer...more in a minutes


11:50:17 PM


Gabriel I


Phone support is limited due to

COVID-19 health and safety considerations for our employees, so in some

moments, the queue for chat will be longer since we have more requests


11:50:26 PM


Me


Over the weeks the minimum wait time

via phone is 45 plus minutes


11:50:58 PM


Gabriel I


Please ask her to contact us or ask

her to follow the steps from the email


11:51:09 PM


Me


I think the better option is to

switch to gmail


11:51:47 PM


Gabriel I


I`m sorry to hear that, but

ultimately that`s your decision and we respect it


11:52:05 PM


Is there anything else I can assist

you with at this time?


11:52:09 PM


Me


No you've helped me make my and her

decision....thanks

Sep 1, 2020 8:02 AM in response to caninemiss

Dear Gabriel

Thank you for the "copy" of THE CHAT -

Firstly let me thank everyone who has shared that being said - somewhere along the line, everyone thinks I am using Sierra or High Sierra. NOT! UP to date to the minute Catalina, which has been NO JOY as far as "missing pieces/programs" -

I AM NOT using a phone or phone app. I am only using AOL on the computer - for about 10 years myself - O am not technically savvy. I would not be able to do 24 steps either, like your friend- IS IT AT ALL POSSIBLE THAT BY MY USING CATALINA I AM UP TODATE FOR the "folks of AOL?" and their secure concern using whatever PORTS which I can't locate where they would even be on my puter. Is the only way to get another email service? DO YOU KNOW IF AOL has a auto response I can set up for any incoming emails into my computer/apple AOL mails TELLING THEM I HAVE ANEW ACCOUNT/EMAIL and what the new-er address is? Thanks again - K9Ms.

Sep 15, 2020 1:54 PM in response to Rarnett706

I couldn't agree with you more, Robert (Me).


I have been using AOL from the beginning, about 30 years. I called for help, the guy was nice but I could not understand much of his language. Near the end of our conversation, he told me there was a way to help me , but it would cost me $9.99. I ended the conversation.


I still don't understand what AOL wants me to do, so now I'm looking for a way to transfer my emails to either Yahoo, Google or Outlook. I was told I have until October 20, 2020 to fix my AOL or else! What a terrible way to treat faithful AOL clients.


Thank you for your post.

Sep 15, 2020 2:05 PM in response to caninemiss

Hi ALL...

I have now read the AOL missive half a dozen times and clicked on the links- Still can't figure what I am supposed to do- ALL I WANT TO DO IS USE AOL MAIL IN MY APPLE MAIl like I have for years- ALL THIS GOBBLE DE GOOP about Android and IOS makes no sense to just USING AOL MAIL ACCOUNT IN APPLE MAIL can anyone help answer me figure how WHAT I HAVE TO DO to use AOL mail inside the APPLE MAIL on Catalina?

AOL Mail changes security notice on Mac

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