Email Protocols

What is SMTP?

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, used for sending emails by pushing outgoing mail to a server.

What does SMTP do if sending fails?

It keeps trying until the email is successfully sent.

What is IMAP?

Internet Message Access Protocol, used for receiving emails in webmail by accessing them on the server.

What is POP3?

Post Office Protocol 3, used for receiving emails by downloading them to an email client.

What is the main difference between IMAP and POP3?

IMAP keeps emails on the server for access anywhere; POP3 downloads emails to the client and can delete them from the server.

Give one example of a webmail service.

Gmail or Outlook mail.

What is webmail?

An email service where messages stay on the server and can be accessed from multiple devices.

What is an email client?

Software that downloads emails to your device for offline access and advanced features.

Give one advantage of webmail.

Emails are backed up and accessible from any device with internet.

Give one disadvantage of webmail.

Requires an internet connection and can be slower than a client.

Give one advantage of an email client.

Emails can be accessed offline and client software offers more features.

Give one disadvantage of an email client.

Emails can be lost if the computer crashes and they are not backed up.

Why are email protocols important?

They allow different software and devices to communicate for sending and receiving emails.

Which protocol handles sending emails?

SMTP.

Which protocol is best for accessing email from multiple devices?

IMAP, because emails remain on the server.

Which protocol was originally used before webmail became popular?

POP3.

What does 'pull' mean in email protocols?

Downloading emails from the server to the client, as in POP3 and IMAP.

What does 'push' mean in email protocols?

Sending emails from the client to the server, as in SMTP.

Why is IMAP useful for mobile devices?

It allows users to access the same mailbox from multiple devices without downloading emails.