Definition of POP3

POP is an acronym for Post Office Protocol. Mail clients use POP to retrieve their electronic mail (emails) through a mail server. POP3 is the most commonly used mailbox access protocol, partly due to its simplicity to use. Additionally, POP3 can be used by mail clients with or without SMTP or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. SMTP takes care of transmitting all electronic mail messages or emails between computers, between computers and servers, and from server to server.

POP3 is actually an interface that exists between the mail server and the mail client. POP3 features storage to hold the electronic mail until individual users log in to retrieve and download their personal emails. In fact, every pending message including those with an attachment is automatically downloaded when the user checks their mailbox for incoming messages. An individual email account is often referred to as the person’s POP account.

External links:

• A Wikipedia explanation of POP3