POP (Post Office Protocol)
In addition to synchronizing the e-mail account with the e-mail application, the POP configuration allows downloading copies of e-mail messages to a local computer (or mobile device). Soon changes made from that local computer(or mobile device), such as sending, modifying or deleting messages remain only on the local computer.
As such, any changes made on the local computer (or mobile device)are not visible to other users or computers accessing the email account. In other words, copies of email messages remain unchanged on the server.
You can set up automatic deletion of copies from the server whenever email download occurs or also schedule deletion of messages at certain periods
The POP configuration is recommended for users who:
- Prefer to keep a backup of all messages;
- Have little time to be online, but need to read emails;
- Prefer to archive permanent copies of their emails.
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
In addition to synchronizing the email account with the email application, the IMAP setting allows you to read emails as they are on the hosting server. That is, all changes made to the email account, such as sending, modifying, or deleting messages can be visible by any user of the email account, logged into Webmail or IMAP.
Depending on the program configuration, messages can be saved temporarily for offline viewing.
The IMAP configuration is recommended for users who:
- Are connected to email accounts from multiple computers;
- With mobile devices with internet access (Smartphones, tablets, etc);
- Require access to the same email account;
- Desire all connections to be in sync with the server.