gmail less secure apps attempt lockout

Question

If some attempts to access email several times and "less secure apps" is "Off" then they switch "less secure access" to "On", will they be locked out for some timeframe. If so, does anyone know the timeframe.

Also, If they have 2 step verification turned "On", how will this affect email access.

FYI, We are using IMAP to access gmail.

Answer 1

If some attempts to access email several times and "less secure apps" is "Off" then they switch "less secure access" to "On"

I'm not aware of this Gmail behavior. I have never experienced it, I don't believe this is true.

If they have 2 step verification turned "On", how will this affect email access.

You'll receive an exception when trying to log-in using any other method than OAuth 2.0.

Remember that you can use application-specific passwords.

Some links you may find useful:

Detecting Gmail's 2-Step authentication:
https://www.limilabs.com/blog/detect-gmail-2-step-authentication

OAuth 2.0 for installed and web applications:
https://www.limilabs.com/blog/oauth2-gmail-imap-installed-applications

https://www.limilabs.com/blog/oauth2-gmail-imap-web-applications

Application specific passwords
https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en

Turning 'less secure apps' on:
https://www.google.com/settings/security/lesssecureapps