Computer protocols are a vital component of modern communication. They are a set of standardized rules that enable various devices to communicate with each other seamlessly.
Email protocols are sets of rules and standards that govern the exchange of email messages over the Internet. They ensure that emails can be exchanged between different servers and email clients in a standard manner, making email communication universal and reliable thus making them an essential tool for communication in today’s digital age.
Why Do We Need Email Protocol ?
Email protocols ensure that emails are delivered properly across different platforms and servers. For example, a sender using Yukthi mail can send an email to another user using Yahoo mail as both platforms follow the same email protocols. Even if the sender and recipient are using different servers and platforms, email protocols ensure that messages are delivered reliably and securely.
Email protocols also ensure that emails are transmitted and displayed correctly. They help keep emails a safe and reliable mode of communication by ensuring that emails are properly sent, delivered, and displayed, regardless of the platform or server used.
Following Protocols are commonly used for email service
SMTP/ESMPT Protocol
The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is an email protocol that is responsible for providing email facility among different hosts. It is the most widely used email protocol and is responsible for sending emails from one server to another.
The Extended Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (ESMTP) is a strengthened version of SMTP that supplements it with advanced commands and functionalities. ESMTP is used to exchange more complex messages like messages with attachments or different character sets.
IMAP Protocol
The Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is an email protocol used for receiving emails from a server. It allows access to emails from multiple locations simultaneously and stores the email on the server after being received. The email is downloaded completely only when the recipient opens it.
IMAP is especially useful for people who need to access their email from multiple devices. Since the email is stored on the server, users can access the same email account from different devices and still have access to the same emails.
POP3 Protocol
The Post Office Protocol (POP3) is a user-oriented method of accessing mailboxes. It is widely used due to its low reliance on internet connections. With version 3 being the most commonly used, POP3 transfers emails from the server to the client, allowing users to read them even if they are not connected to the internet.
POP3 is useful for people who have limited internet access but still need to access their emails. Since the email is downloaded to the client, users can read their emails even when they are offline.