Lesson 7
Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)
an email server program that receives sent messages and delivers them to their proper destination
GNU Privacy Guard (GPG)
open-source implementation of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) that does not use patented algorithms
Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (S/MIME) and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
support the encryption and decryption of email messages
Message Transfer Agent (MTA)
A messaging component that routes, delivers and receives e-mail.
Mail User Agent (MUA)
A messaging component used as a stand-alone application by the user.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
A method of encrypting and decrypting e-mail messages. It can also be used to encrypt a digital signature.
Attachment field
Indicates a file or files that are attached and sent with the message.
header
A block of information attached to a piece of data. The first part of a network packet. Can contain network addressing information or additional information that helps computers and applications process.
emoticon
A combination of characters that, when read sideways, helps convey emotion in an e-mail message.
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.
Post Office Protocol (POP)
A protocol that resides on an incoming mail server. The current version is POP3.
blackhole list
A published list of IP addresses known to be sources of spam.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
A small, handheld computer used for personal information management. The predecessor to the smartphone.
CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart)
A test that uses a word-verification graphic designed to differentiate humans from automated senders during online transactions.
personal information management (PIM) program
A tool used to schedule appointments and meetings, store contact information, and manage tasks.
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.
IP address
A unique numerical address assigned to a computer or device on a network.
spam filter
An e-mail client program that identifies and filters out spam messages before they reach the e-mail Inbox.
email client
An email program that is independent of any specific Web browser, and that you can use to send email messages.
Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)
An email server program that receives sent messages and delivers them to their proper destination mailbox
GNU Privacy Guard (GPG)
An open-source version of PGP, used for encrypting and decrypting e-mail messages, that does not use patented algorithms.
Subject field
Contains a brief description of the message content.
Signature field
Contains a few lines of text that appear at the bottom of each message you send. A signature generally consists of the sender's contact information.
Message field
Contains the body of the message. You type your message directly into the message area.
Cc (carbon copy) field
Contains the email address(es) of the additional recipient(s) to whom you want to send the message. The address(es) you enter here is displayed in the email message header.
Bcc (blind carbon copy) field
Contains the email address(es) of the additional recipient(s) to whom you want to send the message. The address(es) you enter here is not displayed in the email message header. Recipients designated in the To and Cc fields will not be able to see recipients you specified in the Bcc field.
To (address) field
Contains the email address(es) of the primary recipient(s). The address(es) you enter here is displayed in the email message header.
Reply
Displays a message window that automatically inserts the address of the original sender in the To field, the message subject and a copy of the original message. The subject line is prefaced by the letters RE: indicating that this message is a response.
Reply All
Displays a message window that automatically inserts the addresses of the original sender and all other recipients copied on the original message in the To field (or Cc field); the message subject; and a copy of the original message. The subject line is prefaced by the letters RE: indicating that this message is a response.
Forward
Displays a message window with a copy of the original message. The original subject line is automatically inserted and the subject line is prefaced by the letters FW: or FWD: indicating that this message is a forwarded copy of someone else's message. No addresses are inserted in the To or Cc fields.
browser email
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 email
Free e-mail service from a provider such as Windows Live Hotmail or Yahoo! in which you request a user name. You can access your e-mail from any computer that has access to the Internet.
Secure MIME (S/MIME)
Secure version of MIME that adds encryption to MIME data.
snail mail
Slang term for the standard postal service.
blackhole list
administrators use to filter out the IP addresses of known spammers
email server
cans incoming email attachments to ensure they do not contain malicious code
spam filter in your email client
client-side actions you can take to reduce the amount of spam you receive
gateway
enables users on different email systems to exchange messages
Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3)
known as a "store-and-forward" email service
When you use an email client to send and receive mail
messages stored in your Outbox are sent, a copy of each sent message is stored in the Sent Items folder, and incoming messages are routed to your Inbox.
spam
unsolicited, unwanted commercial email messages; the equivalent of junk mail