SMTP - what is it and what is it used for?

SMTP host mail is a very useful configuration used by both individual customers and larger companies. This standard can be encountered primarily on websites and in mailings from, for example, an online shop. What is it and how can it be used effectively?

SMTP - what is it?

SMTP outgoing mail server is the official term for the SMTP protocol. The name entered in the configuration of the email application, for example, will enable it to establish a connection to the server serving the configured email box. Using such a connection, the application will - in some simplified terms - "send emails".

SMTP is the abbreviated name for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is one of the TCP protocols (such as POP3, IMAP and FTP, HTTP). You may encounter SMTP configurations, e.g. in contact forms on websites and in email programmes. This standard can be used in many ways in a wide range of network activities.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol works by initialising the mail service to establish a two-way connection between the sending and receiving server. It sends commands to which the receiving host responds. Once the transmission channel has been established using the appropriate commands, the sending server sends a 'mail' command that indicates the message to be sent. It is then that our correspondence is transmitted to a specific person.

How the SMTP protocol works - key information

The SMTP server is not just the domain of large companies. Practically anyone with a website can use this solution. What is worth emphasising is that we can also assign our e-mail address to it, both from the web service and from dedicated software, such as Mozilla Thunderbird or an app available for smartphones.

The SMTP protocol is based solely on the ability to send plain text. Over time, its operation has been supported by an additional MIME standard - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions - which defines the structure of an e-mail message and allows, for example, the addition of graphics or the creation of an elaborate message structure.

Although the SMTP protocol is very helpful and functional in many ways, it has one major limitation: it does not offer the possibility of verifying the sender of the message. Despite the correct configuration of the SMTP server, you will not get 100% protection against phishing or spam. The aforementioned filters and blacklists help, but even these are not fully secure.

If the mail falls victim to a hacker attack, they will be able to impersonate an address on a particular domain, including a redeemed one. This is why digital hygiene is so important - an extended password or two-step verification are excellent tools to maximise the security of our online mailbox.

How do I configure the SMTP protocol in my email program?

Its name is entered in any email program at the mailbox configuration stage. If you use your own purchased domain for the account, the SMTP mail name will take the form of the address of this Internet domain.

The SMTP port is also very often used when setting up online shops. Settings for sending messages in this way mean that an external mailbox configured by the sender is responsible for automated sending from the shop, e.g. order confirmation, status changes or product enquiries etc.

This is quite a convenience for owners of large applications or e-shops who do not have the time to provide such information to customers individually. The basic SMTP gateway speeds up the sending of notifications to default recipients.