What Does Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) Mean?
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a standard protocol for accessing email on a remote server from a local client. IMAP is an application layer Internet Protocol using the underlying transport layer protocols to establish host-to-host communication services for applications. This allows the use of a remote mail server. The well-known port address for IMAP is 143.
Techopedia Explains Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)
IMAP was originally designed as a remote mailbox protocol in 1986 by Mark Crispin. This was during the popular use of Post Office Protocol (POP). IMAP and POP are still both supported by the majority of modern email servers and clients. However, IMAP is a remote file server, while POP istores and forwards. In other words, with IMAP, all emails remain on the server until the client deletes them. IMAP also permits multiple clients to access and control the same mailbox.
