Term | Definition |
Mail delivery agent | An e-mail server program that receives sent messages and delivers them to their proper destination mailbox. |
Snail mail | Slang term for the standard postal service |
Attachment | A file that is sent with an e-mail message. |
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions(MIME) | A protocol that enables operating systems to map file name extensions to corresponding applications. Also used by applications to automatically process files downloaded from the Internet. |
IP address | A unique numerical address assigned to a computer or device on a network. |
Message Transfer Agent (MTA) | A messaging component that routes, delivers and receives e-mail. |
User name | A unique name or number that identifies you when logging on to a computer system or online service. In an e-mail address, the part before the @ symbol. |
E-mail client | An e-mail program that is independent of any specific Web browser, and that you can use to send e-mail messages. |
Mail User Agent (MUA) | A messaging component used as a stand-alone application by the user. |
Browser e-mail | E-mail programs such as Outlook Express and Opera Mail that come bundled with a Web browser and with which they may be integrated. |
Web-based e-mail | Free e-mail service from a provider such as Google Gmail or Yahoo! Mail in which you request a user name. You can access your e-mail from any computer that has access to the Internet. |
Header | A block of information attached to a piece of data. The first part of a network packet. |
Secure MIME (S/MIME) | Secure version of MIME that adds encryption to MIME data. |
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) | A method of encrypting and decrypting e-mail messages. It can also be used to encrypt a digital signature. |
GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) | An open-source version of PGP, used for encrypting and decrypting e-mail messages, that does not use patented algorithms. |
Emoticon | A combination of characters that, when read sideways, helps convey emotion in an e-mail message. |
Spam | Unsolicited and unwanted e-mail messages; the online equivalent of junk mail. |
CAPTCHA | A test that uses a word-verification graphic designed to differentiate humans from automated senders during online transactions. |
Black hole list | A published list of IP addresses known to be sources of spam. |
Spam filter | An e-mail client program that identifies and filters out spam messages before they reach the e-mail inbox. |
Personal information management (PIM) program | A tool used to schedule appointments and meetings, store contact information, and manage tasks. |
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) | A small, handheld computer used for personal information management. The predecessor to the smartphone. |