Ghost In The Machine

Check Gmail Behind Firewall

Posted by on February 23, 2008 at 8:41 pm.

UPDATED APRIL 22, 2008 *

It was inevitable. They updated a “corporate” firewall at work (read: tighten down the ol’ browsing screws). Not that I have much time to even surf the ‘net, nor do I get much personal email, but I do like to check my Gmail account periodically.

Well I found a way to check and even SEND Gmail without going to Google’s site. Here’s how.

  • Sign up for a PageFlakes.com account [don't worry, it's free]
  • Log in. Your user ID will be the email address you sign up with.
  • Click on the big “Menu” button located in the upper right hand corner.
  • Find the “Top Flakes” (left sidebar) and click on it.
  • Find the Email icon and click on it.
  • An email widget will be added to your content area at the bottom of your Pageflakes screen. Select the “please configure your email account” link.
  • Next, configure the appropriate Account Settings and Preferences. Note: “Pop Download” must be enabled in your GMail settings. You can follow a handy-dandy link to Gmail to configure this (hi-evuh, you may need to configure your Gmail from home, since you can’t friggin’ do this at work!)

When all is said and done, you can navigate to Pageflakes.com, login and then view your Gmail inbox widget while safely tucked behind your company’s firewall blanket (read: woobie). Go ahead, read your email, reply or compose away!

__________________________

* I’ve since discovered that using a secure server URL

will circumnavigate the firewall also.

Try using this address in your browser:

Notice the HTTPS://

This will may allow full access to your Gmail.

  • http://www.junkdrawerblog.com Kathy

    Just wanted to say nice job on the new design! I love it!

    Kathy’s last blog post..It Rained Ice Cream

  • http://www.geakz.com Geaked

    Hey Kathy, Thanks for the kind words. I shed WP themes like a snake sheds its skin. We’ll see how long this one lasts…your vote is appreciated!

    Geaked’s last blog post..Check Gmail Behind Firewall

  • K

    Nice!! Thanks!!

  • http://www.geakz.com Geakz

    K: You are welcome!

  • badluck

    My company just disabled access to pageflakes :(

    • http://www.geakz.com Geakz

      badluck: Sorry to hear. The only downside to those ‘one-off’ web portals is that when popularity rises, I.T. folks get wind and add the URL to their “block” lists. Have you tried navigating to an iGoogle page? I have a widget for both Gmail and Twitter set up via my personal Google page. Good luck.

  • m

    since i have been using my gmail at my office, they are not allowing us to access to gmail, is there any other way to open the gmail account with out knowing to administrator

  • http://www.geakz.com Geakz

    m: Other than the few ways I've listed here, you might be out of luck. I would suggest taking your I.T. person out to lunch or after-work drinks. Good luck!

  • http://www.emptynestthemes.emptynestheritage.com Christine Blythe

    Yours is the first site I’ve seen with this theme completely set up and operating. I like to see the different sites that use my themes!

    I hope it works out well for you.

    And by the way, I’ve been placing links to sites that are using my themes on my site. If you’d like me to place a link for your site, just email to let me know.

    • admin

      Thanks for stopping by Christine. Your theme is awesome. I’m using it at http://WWW.nead.me too. Keep up the good work.