At EasyTechJunkie, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What is POP?
POP stands for Post Office Protocol, and it is one of the technologies used for that all-important medium of communication: email. Like many other computer-related things, email requires a special language for mail to be received or sent. POP is one of the technologies that allows email sent from anywhere in the world to arrive in a person's inbox.
When a person sends an email to a specific address, it is transmitted over the Internet and eventually lands on an email server. In order for an individual's personal computer to get that mail, it must follow a certain protocol. POP allows a computer to talk to the email server and then download all of the messages each time it connects.
One of the advantages of this technology is the ability to download all of the messages onto a local computer. This way, the user can view his messages on the go, without having a live Internet connection. Before a flight, a user could access all of his email and then view them via laptop in the plane when an Internet connection may be limited or unavailable.
Another benefit is for email servers with limited storage space. A small company may have only one small email server for its entire staff, for example. If each person periodically downloads all of his or her email to a local computer, it saves the company from having to invest in more storage space.
Of course, there are always downsides, and POP is no exception. The protocol is not the ideal choice for the increasingly mobile population with more than one computer. Once the email is downloaded off the email server, it resides permanently on the local computer unless it's sent somewhere else. An office worker accessing email in the office, for example, will not be able to then view email again at home, since all the email will be stored on the office machine.
Other solutions that address this concern include IMAP and Microsoft Exchange Server email accounts. These technologies allow all email to be read directly from a server, so all messages are readily available no matter what computer the person is using. The downside to this is that, if there is an Internet access disruption, then it will not be possible to access the email at all.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![POP stands for Post Office Protocol and is one of the technologies used for e-mailing.]()
By: goodluzPOP stands for Post Office Protocol and is one of the technologies used for e-mailing.
Discussion Comments
In my cox.net account, which is POP, on my old computer which had an old version of Outlook, it used to be that when I pulled up my email in Outlook on my home computer, those same emails would disappear from the webmail service.
Now with a new computer and Outlook 2010, the email downloads to Outlook, stays in my webmail, and now with an iPhone, downloads to that also. I have to delete mail from three different places now. Is there anything I can do about this?
I really don't fully understand the difference in POP and IMAP. What are the benefits to either and when would you use each one?
On a side note,
POP and IMAP are not secure by default, all e-mails are send and received in easily decipherable text. An example of when this would be a problem is when you are using wireless in a public location. A person with little to do could very well read your e-mail as you download it. Even your username and password are sent unencrypted.
Use a Secure Server Webmail or if possible see if the company has a secure POP and IMAP available. They will tell you how to configure it if they do.
Public Places include Airports, Cafes, McDonalds, and even Hotel rooms. Even if you use a cable instead of wireless there is a possibility someone can see what you are sending.
No need for someone to see that your cat Garfield just had a litter of kittens and one looks exactly like your dog Rover.
Faliarin
Post your comments