What Does POP3 Mean? POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

POP3 is short for Post Office Protocol (version 3). This is the type of communication your computer uses when it sends and receives email over the Internet. POP3 is a client/server protocol in which e-mail is received and held for you by your Internet service provider. Periodically, you (or your client e-mail receiver) use this protocol to check your mailbox on the server and download any new mail, just in to your own computer.