Passing Login Credentials to Website

Question

Is it possible to pass the login credentials to a website like Gmail in C#/.NET so the log-in happens automatically?

Andrew Fenster · Answer

What you want to do can be done, but it's not so easy. Google has both POP3 and IMAP interfaces which you can call. These are the things your email client (e.g., Thunderbird or Outlook) calls to get your email. There are several people who have written .NET IMAP code libraries. Here is an example. I don't know if it's a good example, or not, but it gives you an idea what's involved. http://www.codeproject.com/KB/IP/imaplibrary.aspx There are also third party web controls you can use. That may be an even better way to go.

Algo Rhythm · Answer

This helps, thanks a lot :)

Algo Rhythm · Answer

Thanks for the code to send from gmail, that is good to know. But what I wanted to do is display the gmail inbox in a web browser without the user having to type in the credentials, as I want to hard code the login credentials into the application. I guess it cannot be done, I know I can't use a simple HTTP POST to pass these credentials.

Andrew Fenster · Answer

You can write code to send an email from your GMail account like this: MailMessage mail = new MailMessage(); mail.To.Add("you@yahoo.com"); mail.From = new MailAddress("me@gmail.com"); mail.Subject = "Hello"; mail.Body = "Hello world!"; SmtpClient smtp = new SmtpClient(); smtp.Host = "smtp.gmail.com"; smtp.Credentials = new System.Net.NetworkCredential("me@gmail.com", "MyPassword"); smtp.EnableSsl = true; smtp.Send(mail); This code uses the GMail server to send an email. Notice you have to pass your GMail account information to the mail server. I hope this helps. Andy

Jan Montano · Answer

1. What do you mean? 2. Automating the login wherein you type your credentials programatically in the login page? If this is the case, Yes. 3. Go directly to your inbox, passing your credentials? I have no idea.

Passing Login Credentials to Website

Answers (5)