POP3

POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) is a standard protocol used by email clients to retrieve messages from a mail server. Developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), POP3 allows users to download email messages to their local computers and read them offline. POP3 has been widely adopted since its introduction in 1988, providing a straightforward method for accessing email, particularly in environments where internet connectivity is intermittent.

POP3 was first detailed in RFC 1081 and later updated in RFC 1939 to address various issues and improvements. The protocol was created to simplify email management by downloading messages to a local client, which could then be manipulated without needing a constant connection to the mail server. POP3 generally operates over port 110 for non-encrypted communication and port 995 for encrypted communications using SSL/TLS. The simplicity and widespread adoption of POP3 can be attributed to its stateless design, allowing users to connect, authenticate, download emails, and disconnect, reducing the strain on mail servers. However, POP3 is somewhat limited compared to more modern protocols like IMAP, which provides more capabilities for email synchronization across multiple devices. Despite these limitations, POP3 remains a viable option for users who prefer or require offline access to their emails and do not need to maintain syncing states between different devices.