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POP-3

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POP-3 also spelt POP3 is an acronym for Post Office Protocol. An Internet email standard that specifies how an Internet-connected computer can function as a mail-handling agent; the current version is called POP-3. Messages arrive at a user’s electronic mailbox, which is housed on the service provider’s computer. From this central storage point, one can access his or her mail from different computers, a networked workstation in the office, as well as a PC at home.
An alternative protocol is IMAP, in which all of a user’s mail is stored at a central location rather than downloaded. IMAP is significantly more convenient for mobile users than POP-3. See email, IMAP.

Technipages Explains POP-3

POP-3 is an abbreviation for post office protocol 3; it is an internet protocol for receiving electronic mails. The protocol is maintained and handled by an internet server, where emails are retained on the internet server until they are downloaded from the server. After the message has been downloaded, they don’t require an internet connection to access the downloaded mails as they are stored in an offline medium. POP-3 is the most used email retrieval protocol, and it is currently being rivalled by IMAP (internet message across protocol). While POP-3 was designed to be accessed by a user by using a single computer, IMAP allows for access across multiple computers.
Post office protocol was developed in 1984, and back then it was known as POP. POP was updated to POP-2 in 1985, while POP-3 was designed in 1988, it is an update to POP-2, ever since 1985, and there has been no other update to the post office protocol. It is important to note that Post office protocol 3 (POP-3) has no means of sending a message or replying the messages received on the server.

Common Uses of POP-3

  •  For HTTP, POP3, SMTP, IMAP or NNTP protocol traffic detection,traffic performance will be redirected to the appropriate component.
  •  This is a journal that discusses the theory, running procedure and standard commands of POP3 protocol
  • It is advised to read the official POP3 specification, RFC1939 from IETF: Post Office Protocol – Version 3.

Common Misuses of POP-3

  • POP-3 is the delivery of packages from food stores and supply facilities.