SSL-enabled Tools for E-mail
POP, IMAP, and SMTP
SMTP = Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
IMAP = Internet Message Access Protocol
POP = Post Office Protocol
POP and IMAP are protocols for downloading email from the server in order to read it. SMTP is a protocol for sending mail from you to the server. The typical email client is probably already using SMTP and either POP or IMAP. You only need to use either SMTP or IMAP; newer mail clients offer a choice due to mail servers not always supporting both options. All of the GUI mail clients supported by Rice can do one or both of POP and IMAP.
POP, IMAP and SMTP require authentication (i.e. username and password) because of spam, viruses, and other problems.
SSL Encryption
SSL = Secure Sockets Layer
SSL is an encryption technique that was designed by Netscape for web services, but SSL is now in use for other purposes (such as email) as well.
It is more secure to use encryption technologies with any of these protocols (and many others, such as web), so that hackers can't sniff out passwords or other sensitive information. Historically, the mail protocols haven't typically used encryption, but that too is changing. SSL can now be used in conjunction with some mail tools. It is necessary to use SSL with both SMTP and IMAP for Rice email.
