POP3,
IMAP4, and SMTP are standard email protocols
that allow different email programs to communicate.
These protocols also allow email users to check
and send email via desktop email software like
Microsoft Outlook and Mozilla Thunderbird, as
well as wireless devices like Blackberry, Treo,
and Sidekick.
POP3 - 'Post Office Protocol' (Version 3)
The most popular way for users to access their
email is through the POP3 protocol. When a user
checks for new email messages using POP3, the
messages are downloaded to the user's local computer
and into the email software. Then, in most cases,
the messages are removed from the mail server
and are only on the local computer. This method
is well-suited for users who have limited storage
space on their email provider's mail servers or
those who don't want to store email messages online.
IMAP4 - 'Internet Message Access Protocol' (Version
4)
IMAP is a popular protocol for accessing email
messages. If you use IMAP, instead of downloading
new messages to the user's local computer, the
messages continue to be stored on the mail server.
When users access their email through an email
client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird,
they are working directly with the messages stored
on their mail server. For example, when an IMAP
user composes and sends a new email message, that
message will be stored in the Sent folder, which
is stored on the mail server.
IMAP is a convenient option for users who need
to access their email online from multiple computers
and locations—but prefer to use email client
software instead of webmail. Because all messages—including
sent messages, drafts, and messages stored in
mail folders—are stored on the mail server,
they are accessible from any Internet-enabled
computer with pre-configured email client software.
IMAP can also be useful for wireless email users
who need access to their email with their wireless
device, but do not want to overload their device's
memory by downloading and storing messages locally.
Our IMAP server provides real-time push support
for IMAP applications, alerting you the second
you have new mail. Your IMAP application establishes
a connection to our system and then sits in an
idle state waiting for our servers to tell it
when there is new mail. It can even watch for
new mail in several folders at once and alert
you the second that new mail arrives, which makes
it very powerful for folks on the go.
SMTP - 'Simple Mail Transfer Protocol'
SMTP is the standard that defines how email messages
are sent from a mail server. To help prevent the
growing proliferation of spam, which is often
routed through unprotected or "Open Relay"
servers, many service providers now require SMTP
Authentication. SMTP Authentication allows users
to send email only if their mailbox belongs to
the service provider's system.
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