When reading your email you can use two different protocols. Each one must use a different port. Only a correct configuration will let you read your email successfully. Any error in the port associated with the reading protocol will prevent you from reading your mail.
POP3 Protocol
This protocol is obsolete. It belongs to the "pre-cloud" internet era, where things were stored on the client's computer. Generally we don't recommend using POP3 for reading email.
IMAP Protocol
IMAP is the recommended protocol for reading your mail from different devices. With this protocol your email stays in the cloud, available to be read at any time from different devices — whether your phone, tablet or computer.
Security type
The security type is the second factor that affects the port you should use. You have 3 security types to choose from:
- No additional security
- STARTTLS
- SSL/TLS
Ports / Protocols / Security Types Table
| Security Type | POP3 | IMAP |
|---|---|---|
| No Security | 110 | 143 |
| STARTTLS | 110 | 143 |
| SSL/TLS | 995 | 993 |
| Protocol | Port | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SMTP | 25 | receives email from other servers |
| SMTP | 26 | alternative port to receive outgoing mail from users |
| POP3 | 110 | allows users to retrieve email using the POP3 protocol |
| IMAP | 143 | allows users to access their email on the server with the IMAP protocol |
| SMTP (secure) | 465 | alternative port to receive outgoing mail from users |
| SMTP | 587 | alternative port to receive outgoing mail from users |
| IMAP (secure) | 993 | allows users to securely access their email on the server with the IMAP protocol |
| POP3 (secure) | 995 | allows users to securely retrieve email using the POP3 protocol |
| Webmail | 2095 | allows users to access the web email client that comes with cPanel |
| Webmail (secure) | 2096 | allows users to securely access the web email client that comes with cPanel |