Internet, Browsers & E-mail
🔒 Log in to trackE-mail: structure, To/CC/BCC and protocols
🔒 Log in to trackE-mail sends messages between accounts on mail servers. An address is username@domain, and @ separates the two. CC copies are visible to all. BCC copies are hidden. SMTP sends mail. POP3 downloads it to one device. IMAP keeps it on the server and syncs all devices.
What e-mail is
E-mail (electronic mail) sends messages between accounts on mail servers.
An address has two parts joined by @ (read "at"): username, then domain. Take [email protected].
- ray.kiran is the username.
- gmail.com is the domain, the mail service.
Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo Mail are mail services.
Fields of a new mail
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| To | The main receivers |
| CC (Carbon Copy) | Extra receivers. Everyone sees all To and CC addresses. |
| BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) | Hidden receivers. To and CC people cannot see them. |
| Subject | A one-line summary |
| Attachment | A file sent along, shown by a paperclip. Size is limited. |
| Signature | A fixed sign-off block |
Rule: CC is visible to all. BCC is hidden from the To and CC receivers. Use BCC for mass mails to protect addresses.
If a mail was sent to a hidden BCC list, Reply All reaches only the sender.
The three protocols
| Protocol | Job | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), port 25 | Sends mail | Pushes mail from client to server, and between servers |
| POP3 (Post Office Protocol v3), port 110 | Receives mail | Downloads to one device, usually removing it from the server |
| IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), port 143 | Receives mail | Mail stays on the server and syncs on all devices |
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) lets e-mail carry attachments, images and non-English text.
Tip: SMTP Sends. POP Picks up on one device. IMAP is In sync everywhere.
Mail actions
- Compose writes a new mail. Send sends it.
- Reply answers only the sender.
- Reply All answers the sender and everyone in To and CC.
- Forward passes the mail to new people.
Mail folders
| Folder | Holds |
|---|---|
| Inbox | Received mail |
| Outbox | Mail waiting to be sent |
| Sent | Mail already sent |
| Drafts | Unfinished mail |
| Spam or Junk | Mail the filter marked as junk |
| Trash or Bin | Deleted mail |
Never click links in spam.
The journey of one mail
- You press Send. Your mail server uses SMTP to push the mail to the server named after the @ domain.
- The receiver's server keeps it in her mailbox.
- Her app fetches it with IMAP or POP3.
Webmail is a mail service used in a browser, like Gmail. A mail client is an installed app, like Outlook or Thunderbird. Filters and labels sort mail automatically. Autoresponders reply for you when you are away.
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
CC/BCC visibility scenario
A sending scenario asks who can see whom, or which field to use so receivers do not see each other.
CC receivers are visible to everyone.
BCC receivers are hidden from To and CC people.
BCC receivers do not see each other either.
Use BCC for bulk mails to protect addresses.
The hidden list stays hidden even when someone replies.
Ravi sends a mail to 200 customers with all addresses in BCC. If a customer presses Reply All, the reply goes to:
Show solutionHide solution
BCC addresses are hidden from the other receivers.
So Reply All has only the sender to answer.
Only the sender
Protocol direction: SMTP vs POP3 vs IMAP
'Protocol used to SEND e-mail', 'downloads mail to one device', 'keeps mail synced on the server'.
Sending means SMTP.
Downloading to one device means POP3.
Staying on the server and syncing means IMAP.
Reject options with the roles reversed.
Each protocol has one direction, and options swap them.
Which protocol is used to SEND an e-mail from the client to the mail server?
Show solutionHide solution
Sending is done by one protocol only.
POP3 and IMAP only fetch incoming mail.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
E-mail address and fields anatomy
'In [email protected], the part before @ is', 'what separates user and domain', or naming Subject, Attachment or Signature.
Split the address at @.
Before @ is the username.
After @ is the domain.
Match the field to its plain meaning.
The @ is the only separator.
In the address [email protected], the username is:
Show solutionHide solution
Split at the @ sign.
The part before it is the username.
kiran.verma
Reply, Reply All, Forward, Spam, Draft
A scenario about who receives your answer, or the meaning of spam, draft or forward.
Reply goes to the sender only.
Reply All goes to the sender and all in To and CC.
Forward passes the mail to new receivers.
A draft is written but not sent.
Choose the action by who must read your answer.
Swati received a circular sent to her whole class. She wants only the teacher to read her answer. She should use:
Show solutionHide solution
The teacher is the sender.
Only Reply goes to the sender alone.
Reply
Mail folders
'Unsent mail is kept in', 'mail waiting to be sent is in', 'junk mail goes to'.
Received mail is in the Inbox.
Waiting to be sent is the Outbox.
Unfinished mail is in Drafts.
Filtered junk is in Spam.
Each folder holds one state of a mail.
A mail that was written but not sent is found in the:
Show solutionHide solution
Not sent and not finished means it is saved as a draft.
Drafts holds such mail.
Drafts folder
MIME and port numbers
'Standard that allows attachments and images', or 'default port of SMTP, POP3 or IMAP'.
Attachments, images and non-English text point to MIME.
Recall the ports: SMTP 25, POP3 110, IMAP 143.
Match each protocol to its own port.
Three numbers and one full form cover this pattern.
The default port number of POP3 is:
Show solutionHide solution
SMTP is 25.
POP3 is 110.
IMAP is 143.
110
Shortcuts that save time
CC is a Carbon Copy that everybody sees. BCC is Blind, so To and CC receivers cannot see the blind list.
The receiver of a mail can see the addresses in which fields?
Show solutionHide solution
To and CC are shown to all.
BCC is hidden.
To and CC, never BCC
SMTP = Send (outgoing). POP3 = Pick up on one device (server copy usually removed). IMAP = in all devices (server copy stays, everything syncs).
Which protocol lets you read the same mail on phone and laptop?
Show solutionHide solution
The mail must stay on the server.
That is IMAP.
IMAP
In [email protected] the @ separates who from where: user at domain. An option with no @, or with a space or comma, is wrong.
Which character separates the username from the domain in an e-mail address?
Show solutionHide solution
The character reads as 'at'.
@
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
Saying CC receivers are hidden.
BCC is hidden. CC is fully visible.
Making SMTP the receiving protocol.
SMTP only sends. POP3 and IMAP receive.
Thinking Reply All reaches the hidden BCC list.
Reply All reaches the sender and the To and CC people. BCC stays hidden.
Thinking POP3 keeps mail synced on many devices.
IMAP does that. POP3 downloads to one device.
Using Reply when the whole group must see your answer.
Reply goes only to the sender. Use Reply All for everyone.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
Address = username @ domain. The @ separates the two.
CC is visible to all. BCC is hidden from To and CC receivers.
SMTP sends (port 25). POP3 downloads to one device (port 110). IMAP syncs everywhere (port 143).
Reply = sender only. Reply All = sender plus To and CC. Forward = new receivers.
Folders: Inbox, Outbox, Sent, Drafts, Spam, Trash.
MIME lets e-mail carry attachments, images and non-English text.
Practice: 16 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 5 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.