Glossary

Key email terms explained simply: email address, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, server and client, ports, SSL/TLS, mailbox and synchronisation – a concise guide to setting up and troubleshooting.

Email address

A unique identifier for an email user, which enables them to send and receive emails via the internet. It usually follows the format benutzername@domain.com.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol Version 3)

A standard protocol for retrieving emails from a server. POP3 downloads emails and saves them to the local device, but usually deletes them from the server.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)

A more advanced protocol than POP3. IMAP allows you to manage and access emails directly on the server, making it easier to access them from multiple devices.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

A protocol used for sending emails from a client to a server or between servers. It is often used in conjunction with POP3 or IMAP.

Server

A computer or a programme that provides email services. A POP3 or IMAP server is used to receive emails, whilst an SMTP server is used to send them.

Client

An application or programme that enables a user to access email services. Examples include Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird and email apps on smartphones.

Port

A network setting that specifies how the email client communicates with the email server. Different protocols use different ports (for example, POP3 often uses port 110).

SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security)

Encryption technologies that enhance the security of email communications by encrypting the data transmitted between the email client and the server.

Mailbox

The location on the server where emails for a specific user are stored. With IMAP, the mailbox remains on the server, whilst with POP3, emails are usually downloaded and stored locally.

Synchronisation

The process by which emails are updated and synchronised across different devices. IMAP supports full synchronisation across multiple devices, whilst POP3 is less suited to this.