CIT 1102
INTERNET
TECHNOLOGIES
COURSE OUTLINE
Lecturer: Salome Nyale May 2025
INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES
Contents
Session 7: Email and Electronic Messaging ............................................................................................................ 2
7.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
7.1 Learning Outcomes ............................................................................................................................................... 2
7.2. Email Components and Protocols.................................................................................................................. 3
7.2.1 Basic Components of an Email: ............................................................................................................... 3
7.2.2 Common Email Protocols .......................................................................................................................... 3
7.3 Composing, Sending, and Receiving Emails ............................................................................................... 4
7.3.1 How to Compose an Email: ....................................................................................................................... 4
7.3.2 What Happens After You Click Send? ................................................................................................... 4
7.4 Configuring an Email Client (e.g., Outlook Express) ............................................................................... 4
7.4.1 Steps to Set Up Outlook Express:............................................................................................................ 4
7.5 Evaluating Email Providers ............................................................................................................................... 5
7.6 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
7.7 Session Review – Quiz ......................................................................................................................................... 6
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Session 7: Email and Electronic
Messaging
Understanding how electronic communication works and how to use it efficiently
7.0 Introduction
Email is one of the oldest, most reliable tools on the Internet — and it’s still
essential today! Whether you're applying for a job, sharing documents, or
subscribing to newsletters, email is at the center of professional and personal
communication.
Today, you’ll learn how email works, how to set it up, and how to choose the
best email service.
7.1 Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
1. ✅ List the parts of an email and common email protocols.
2. ✅ Describe how emails are composed, sent, and received.
3. ✅ Configure a basic email client like Outlook Express.
4. ✅ Evaluate different email services based on features and reliability.
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7.2. Email Components and Protocols
Let’s start with the anatomy of an email.
7.2.1 Basic Components of an Email:
• To: The recipient’s email address.
• From: The sender’s email address.
• Subject: A brief summary of the email’s content.
• Body: The main message content.
• Attachments: Files sent along with the email (e.g., documents, images).
• Cc (Carbon Copy): Send a copy to others for visibility.
• Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy): Copy others without showing their addresses
to others.
7.2.2 Common Email Protocols
Email relies on a few key protocols (rules for communication between
computers):
Protocol Function Port
SMTP (Simple Mail Sends outgoing emails 25,
Transfer Protocol) 587
POP3 (Post Office Downloads email to a device (then 110
Protocol v3) deletes from server)
IMAP (Internet Message Synchronizes email across devices 143,
Access Protocol) (leaves email on the server) 993
Most modern email apps use IMAP for flexibility across multiple devices.
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7.3 Composing, Sending, and Receiving Emails
7.3.1 How to Compose an Email:
1. Open your email client (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
2. Click “Compose” or “New Message”.
3. Fill in To, Subject, and Body.
4. Attach files if needed.
5. Click Send.
7.3.2 What Happens After You Click Send?
1. The message is sent via SMTP to your outgoing mail server.
2. That server forwards it to the recipient's mail server.
3. The recipient’s email client fetches it using IMAP or POP3.
4. The email appears in their inbox, ready to read.
It all happens in seconds — even if the recipient is on the other side of the
world.
7.4 Configuring an Email Client (e.g., Outlook Express)
Want to check your email without logging into a browser every time? Use a
desktop email client!
7.4.1 Steps to Set Up Outlook Express:
1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click Tools > Accounts > Add > Mail.
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3. Enter your name and email address.
4. Enter Incoming mail server (IMAP or POP) and Outgoing mail server
(SMTP) info:
o Example for Gmail:
▪ Incoming: imap.gmail.com
▪ Outgoing: smtp.gmail.com
5. Enter your username (full email) and password.
6. Save and test the configuration.
Always use SSL/TLS encryption for secure communication.
7.5 Evaluating Email Providers
Not all email services offer the same services. Let’s compare them.
Provider Pros Cons
Gmail Free, integrates with Google Ad-supported, tracks
tools, high storage usage for ads
Outlook.com Microsoft ecosystem integration, Slower UI than Gmail
good spam filters
Yahoo Mail Large storage, user-friendly Too many ads, security
interface history
ProtonMail Strong privacy & encryption Limited free storage, fewer
features
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Zoho Mail Business-friendly, custom Fewer advanced features
domains for individuals
When choosing an email service, consider:
• Storage space
• Security (2FA, spam filters)
• Speed & reliability
• User interface
• Ad presence
7.6 Summary
Topic Key Takeaway
Email Components Include To, From, Subject, Body, Cc, Bcc, Attachments
Protocols SMTP for sending; IMAP/POP for receiving
Client Setup Requires incoming/outgoing server settings
Choosing a Provider Consider storage, security, features, and privacy
7.7 Session Review – Quiz
1. What’s the role of SMTP in email communication?
A. Encrypts email contents before sending
B. Retrieves messages from the inbox
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C. Sends messages from the client to the server
D. Filters out spam in the mailbox
2. You want to read the same email from your phone and laptop. Which
protocol is best?
A. SMTP
B. POP3
C. FTP
D. IMAP
3. Which part of an email lets you secretly copy someone without other
recipients knowing?
A. Cc
B. Bcc
C. Forward
D. Reply All
4. You send an email with a 15MB PDF. What happens if the recipient’s
email limit is 10MB?
A. The email will be compressed automatically
B. The message will fail to deliver
C. The recipient will get the text, not the attachment
D. The server will split the file automatically
5. When setting up an email client, which info is NOT typically required?
A. Outgoing mail server (SMTP)
B. Full name of your Internet provider
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C. Incoming mail server (IMAP/POP)
D. Email address and password
6. Why might someone choose ProtonMail over Gmail?
A. More features and better integration
B. Higher attachment limits
C. Advanced search features
D. Privacy and end-to-end encryption
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