Post Office Protocol Version 3 (POP3) is another email access protocol. It was formerly just POP but has been upgraded twice, version 2 and version 3, so version 3 is currently in use. It contacts your email service provider and downloads all your new emails, then deletes the messages from the server.
This means you can only access the emails with the device you used to download them; you can’t read the messages using a different computer or device, and the message you have downloaded on one device will not be available on another.
This protocol allows you to view your emails in offline mode. It transmits your emails from the email server to the email app you use and then deletes the emails from the server. However, you can change this setting manually so it will stop the original emails from being deleted.
Many email service providers use this protocol for their emails.
Step Involved in POP3 Operation
- The post office protocol version 3 needs to establish a connection between the POP server and the POP client.
- Once the connection is established and secure, several commands will be exchanged between the server and client to enable them to perform the task.
- Then, the client will request available email messages.
- The server will send the available messages and their unique ID number.
- Once the client receives the emails, the server will request that the messages be downloaded.
- The user marks the messages and sends them to the server.
- The server receives the instructions and sends the selected messages accordingly, marking them as read or unread.
- Then, the client sends a request to delete the message.
- Once the operation is complete, the client will send requests to close the connection.
- Then, the server acknowledges the client before cloning the connection.
POP3 Pros
- The message can be read offline.
- The size of emails users can send and receive is unrestricted.
- POP3 is easy to use and configure.
- Accessing the emails is fast and simple since they are stored on your computer.
- POP3 requires less device storage space.
- It requires less server storage space.
- Many email applications support POP3.
POP3 Cons
- At a time, an entire email folder can be discarded unintentionally.
- POP3 does not provide the feature of real-time synchronisation.
- Anyone using your computer can access the email folder since it is stored locally.
- If an email contains virus attachments, it can easily corrupt your system.
- It is also possible for the email folder downloaded from the mail server to become corrupted and inaccessible.