Email Hosting Key Terms

Make sense of words you need to know when dealing with email hosting companies

When it comes to email hosting, key terms such as server or protocol naturally appear. Email is a very useful form of communication. Don't let fear of spam or viruses keep you from making the most of email hosting, just learn how to deal with these threats. When considering email hosting, you will need to understand email protocols. A basic understanding of protocols will help you know how to pick the best email host.

 

Spam

Spam is email that you did not solicit. Companies usually send it as a bulk marketing tool. Many email hosts and email clients have spam filters that attempt to filter out this unwanted mail before it reaches the inbox.
Try: Find a complete definition of spam at Spamhaus.

Computer virus

A computer virus is a file that can download itself to your computer and do harmful things, from corrupting a single file to wiping out your entire hard drive. A common way viruses spread is via email. The best way to protect yourself is not to click on files attached to emails unless you're sure you know what they are and from whom they came.
Try: McAfee, makers of well-known antivirus software, offers alerts on current viruses and provides resources to help you learn more about them.

Email client

An email client, also sometimes called email software, is a program that runs on your computer's hard drive and lets you download, read and send email.
Try: Check out an alphabetical list of definitions related to email, including email client, at Everyone.net.

SMTP

SMTP stands for simple mail transfer protocol. It sends mails between email servers.
Try: Read an extensive definition of SMTP, including a bit of history, at The Linux Information Project.

POP3

POP stands for post office protocol, and the three refers to the most recent version. Most email clients use this to download email from the email server, and you can use it with or without SMTP, depending on the server. When setting up your email client, you probably need the address of the POP3 server associated with your email host.
Try: Find an explanation of what POP3 is and why you need to know about it at Internet.com, a division of WebMediaBrands.

IMAP

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, and it's a newer and somewhat more sophisticated method than POP3. If you're not sure which protocol you need to use, your email host can tell you.
Try: Get information about IMAP at SearchExchange.com, a division of TechTarget.

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