Other Related UQ Mail Guides
IMAP
IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol) is an Internet standard for the reading and manipulation of email messages stored on a server. The current version is IMAP4.
Messages are stored on a remote server. An IMAP email client running on a local computer contacts the server and uses IMAP to allow the user to see and manipulate their email messages and mailboxes.
IMAP differs from the common Post Office Protocol (POP) in that it allows a user to store messages on a server and manipulate them remotely using a local email client.
POP
POP (Post Office Protocol) is a protocol for delivering email to personal computers. The current version is POP3.
Messages are stored on a central email server. Users can log on with an email client and download their messages. All pending messages and attachments are downloaded at the same time. POP3 uses the SMTP messaging protocol.
POP differs from IMAP in that it doesn't allow users to store messages on a server and manipulate them remotely using a local email client. With POP, all messages are downloaded and manipulated on a local computer.
SMTP
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol for sending email messages. Most email systems that send mail over the Internet use SMTP to send messages from one server to another; the messages can then be retrieved with an email client using either POP or IMAP.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) / TLS (Transport Layer Security)
SSL/TLS encrypts everything sent between two computers. When used with an email program it protects your password and the contents of your email from interception while en route between your computer and the email server. (When used with web pages, it protects your credit card details and other personal information from interception during transmission from your computer to a web site.) Its use does not imply that the data is encrypted when it is on a computer, only while it is in transit.