In this tutorial we will provide you with detailed information about the most commonly used Email protocols on the internet - POP3, IMAP and SMTP. Each one of them has specific function and way of work. Read on to see which configuration will best server your particular email needs.

What is POP3 and which are the default POP3 ports

Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) is a standard mail protocol used to receive emails from a remote server to a local email client. POP3 allows you to download email messages on your local computer and read them even when you are offline. Note, that when you use POP3 to connect to your email account, messages are downloaded locally and normally removed from the servers. If you use POP3, your messages are stored on your local computer, which reduces the space your email account uses on your web server. You can set your computer to leave a copy of emails on the server for a set number of days or weeks, allowing it to work in conjunction with a mobile device that is set up for IMAP (see below).

By default, the POP3 protocol works on two ports:

• Port 110 - this is the default POP3 non-encrypted port
• Port 995 - this is the port you need to use if you want to connect using POP3 securely using SSL

What is IMAP and which are the default IMAP ports

The Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a mail protocol used for accessing email on a remote web server from a local client. IMAP and POP3 are the two most commonly used Internet mail protocols for retrieving emails. Both protocols are supported by all modern email clients and web servers.

While the POP3 protocol assumes that your email is being accessed only from one application, IMAP allows simultaneous access by multiple clients. This is why IMAP is more suitable for you if you're going to access your email from different locations or if your messages are managed by multiple users.

By default, the IMAP protocol works on two ports:

• Port 143 - this is the default IMAP non-encrypted port
• Port 993 - this is the port you need to use if you want to connect using IMAP securely using SSL

If you use POP on your computer and IMAP on a second device like a phone, tablet or laptop, we recommend setting the second device to CC or BCC all SENT emails. That way, your main computer will receive a copy of any emails sent from your other device.

What is SMTP and which are the default SMTP ports

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is the standard protocol for sending emails across the Internet.

By default, the SMTP protocol works on three ports:

• Port 25 - this is the default SMTP non-encrypted port
• Port 2025 - this port is opened on all 2020Media servers in case port 25 is filtered (by your ISP for example) and you want to send non-encrypted emails with SMTP
• Port 465 - this is the port used, if you want to send messages using SMTP securely using SSL

We recommend SSL (secure) option is used wherever possible.