The Secrets of POP3

There are earlier versions of POP3, POP (POP1), and POP2. These versions however, required SMTP to send the messages. Today, the newer POP3 can be used either with or without SMTP.

If you have a subscription with an internet service provider your email account uses the POP3 software in order to gain access. POP3 is designed for users of intermittent connections to retrieve their email while they are connected, but be able to view you messages without having to stay connected. You are also given the option of rather than having to keep your email on the server, the majority of email clients that use POP3, connect, retrieve, store them on their own computer. Before you disconnect you can delete the messages from the server.

Here is a shortened version of how POP3 works.

• A three way handshake is performed by the POP3 client to establish a TCP connection.
• The server acknowledges the connection by sending a +OK response.
• The user's email address is sent by the POP3 client in the USER command.
• The server acknowledges and requests a password.
• The client sends the password to the server.
• The message is acknowledged by the POP3 server.
• The STAT command is issued by the client enquiring about the email in the mailbox.
• The POP3 server then indicates how many messages there are in the mailbox.
• The client requests the server to retrieve the messages.
• Server acknowledges the request and retrieves the messages storing them in the email client.
• Once stored in the email client a request for delete is prompted. The server then deletes the message.
• When done, the client sends a QUIT command to end the email session.
• The QUIT command is acknowledged by the server, ending the email session.

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