Sciextor

Email

Email is a way to send and receive messages over the Internet using electronic mail.

It is similar to traditional mail, but it also has some key differences, such as speed, convenience, and accessibility.

Email uses various protocols and servers to handle the email transactions between different machines, networks, and operating systems.

The main email servers are relays and receivers. Relays accept email from users and then route it to the recipient using DNS (domain name service) to look up the receiver server for the recipient’s domain.

Receivers accept mail from relay servers and deliver it to the recipient’s mailbox.

Email servers use email addresses to identify the sender and the recipient of an email message. Email addresses are written in a standard format that includes a username, the @ (at) symbol, and the email provider’s domain.

Some Email Protocols

SMTP: This stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, and it is responsible for sending email messages from the email client to the email server, or from one email server to another. It uses a set of commands and responses to transfer the email data over the network

POP3: This stands for Post Office Protocol version 3, and it is used to download email messages from the email server to the email client. It usually deletes the messages from the server after downloading them, unless the user specifies otherwise. It does not sync the messages back to the server, so any changes made on the client are not reflected on the server

IMAP:This stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, and it is used to access and manage email messages on the email server. It syncs the messages between the server and the client, so any changes made on either side are reflected on the other. It also allows the user to create and manipulate folders, search and filter messages, and mark messages with flags

What you can do to protect your email

• Use a strong and unique password for your email account, and change it regularly. A good password should be at least 12 characters long and contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email account, if possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code or a device confirmation in addition to your password when you sign in. You can usually find this option in your account settings
• Avoid opening attachments or clicking links in emails from unknown or suspicious senders. They may contain malware or phishing scams that can compromise your account or device. Always verify the sender’s email address and the content of the message before opening or clicking anything
• Encrypt your email messages if you need to send sensitive or confidential information. Encryption scrambles your data so that only the intended recipient can read it. You can use a built-in encryption feature in your email service or a third-party encryption tool to protect your email messages
• Keep your computer and mobile devices updated and protected with antivirus software. This can help prevent malware infections and cyberattacks that may target your email account or device. You should also use a secure and trusted network when accessing your email, and avoid public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks