NEW YORK: Google Inc. experienced a hiccup with its messaging service over the weekend that prevented users from sending mails or accessing setup features on Gmail or Google Apps. Upon further inspection, it became clear that Google had problems with expired security certificates that the company was unable to renew in a timely manner.
The Google team will be amused and embarrassed by the archaic blip that led to a veer of error notifications and security warnings over the Easter weekend. The tech giant swiftly responded to problems by acknowledging that the intermediate SSL certificate for Gmail had expired before relaying on its Apps Status Dashboard that “smtp.gmail.com is displaying an invalid certificate”; it added that the problem would be resolved shortly. SMTP refers to the protocol used throughout the Internet to send mails, and it appeared unable to verify Gmail on web browsers or apps.
Security certificates act as online filters to establish a secure and private connection between users and servers. Moreover, they enable browsers to prove the legitimacy of a website and are vital components to Internet security against cyber criminals. Therefore, news of Google forgetting to renew security certificates is a bit farcical for a company responsible for improving drone performance, testing high altitude Internet air balloons, and creating robot technology amongst other futuristic technologies.
Gmail users were shown error messages when they attempted to add their E-mails or a new account to an E-mail client, VentureBeat reports. This meant the error was not found on the Gmail online interface, but affected users in mail-related client programs along with other apps such as Windows Live Mail, Microsoft Outlook, and Mail OS X. The inability to keep the system updated with a new certificate drew criticism from users via Twitter.
Google has not commented on the circumstances that led it to disregard the renewal of the security certificate, especially for one of the largest services that it provides. However, the Internet giant entrusts security certification to Authority G2, Google’s in-house security company, and could choose to relieve any responsibility over the latest mishap.
The issue was quickly resolved some two hours after it was first observed, however, the “majority” of users had already been affected as many used E-mail services to communicate and arrange plans with friends and family over the Easter weekend.
