Thread: Internet Message Access Protocol

IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, although other variations include Internet Mail Access Protocol, Interactive Mail Access Protocol and Interim Mail Access Protocol. IMAP is used for pooling and collat¬ing data from an online mail client to a desktop based e-mail client, like specific settings used by Gmail, to a pool mail into a client like Microsoft Outlook. Unlike POP3 servers, an IMAP based protocol does not delete mail from the server unless the user chooses to do so explicitly. This way you worn loose your mails from your mail server, even after downloading them. Also, you can host multiple e-mail clients pulling mails to the same mailbox.