Try using ePrompter to access your Gmail account.
It's an email utility that can monitor/access multiple email accounts while helping you duck viruses. ePrompter can access Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, regular POP3/SMTP, and all the other types of accounts. I've been using it for years.
It is a free download without popups or other crud advertising (!) you can get it from
http://www.eprompter.com