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Thread: POP3 Tutorial

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    1,499

    Post POP3 Tutorial

    Introduction.

    The POP3 protocol is used to transfer e-mail from the server to the client. It is not the ideal way, however, since passwords are sent in clear text most of the time. The client sends commands such as STAT or LIST to the server, followed by a CrLf, and the server sends a response to the command, with a plus or a minus at the beginning of the response. If the command is performed successfully, a + is sent at the beginning of the response. If the command is sent at the wrong time, or is not done successfully, a - is at the beginning of the response. Basic commands are USER, PASS, STAT, LIST, RETR, and DELE.

    POP 3 Commands

    USER Command
    Syntax: USER <username> (without <>'s)
    Returns: + for correct username, - for bad username.
    Sample:
    USER mark_boyle2002
    +OK mark_boyle2002 is welcome on this server.


    PASS Command
    Syntax: PASS <password> (without <>'s)
    Returns: + for correct password, - for bad password.
    Sample:
    PASS *****
    +OK mark_boyle2002 logged in at 19:04


    STAT Command
    Syntax: STAT
    Returns: total messages and octets
    Sample:
    STAT
    +OK 1 3805


    LIST Command
    Syntax: LIST
    Returns: list of messages and individual sizes
    Sample:
    LIST
    +OK 2 7610
    1 3805
    2 3805


    RETR Command
    Syntax: RETR <message number> (without <>'s)
    Returns: + for success, - for error
    Sample:
    RETR 1
    +OK 1 3805
    <message body>


    DELE Command
    Syntax: DELE <message number> (without <>'s)
    Returns: + for success, - for error
    Sample:
    DELE 1
    +OK 1 Deleted


    QUIT Command
    Syntax: QUIT
    Returns: nothing
    Sample:
    QUIT
    +GOODBYE




    A Basic POP3 Session


    +OK VOPmail POP3 Server-NOTF 4.6.189.0 Ready ***********************@*******.com

    USER **********

    +OK USER ********** is welcome here.

    PASS ****

    +OK USER ********** logged in at 19:04

    STAT

    +OK 1 xxxx

    LIST

    +OK 2 messages (xxxx octets)

    1 xxxx

    2 xxxx

    .

    RETR 1

    +OK xxxx octets

    <msg data>

    .

    DELE 1

    +OK 1 deleted

    QUIT

    +GOODBYE

    NOTE: There is a CRLF at the end of each of these lines.

    Since every server sends different text with the +'s and -'s, everything but the +'s and -'s should be ignored, except on STAT and LIST commands, when you can use the Left$ and Right$ commands to get the numbers.

    Enjoy


    _____________________________________________________________________
    Some Feedback

    how is this a tutorial, you just posted your own session, and didnt explain the commands at all

    - You have contacted this user about this assignment.

    Nice to see someone who doesn't read the tutorial properly and assigns negative points. then doesn't even have the courtesy to reply to my message.

    The whole second part of this tutorial explains the POP3 commands or didn't you notice because it didn't have a heading.

  2. #2
    Great post man I learned something new. Very good post. Keep up the good work. -Twisted-

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    1,499

    I have an SMTP tutorial on the way.

    If anyone wants a copy of my smtp tutorial PM me and I will post it otherwise I won't waste my time or yours.

  4. #4
    If anyone wants a copy of my smtp tutorial PM me and I will post it otherwise I won't waste my time or yours.





    I would like to see your smtp tutorial and its not a wait of time. some ppl dunno how to send anonymous emails i jsut wnat to see if your smtp tut. is as good as ur pop3 one. -Twisted-

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    1,499

    Nearly done.

    I'm nearly done with my tut and I will post it in a fresh thread.

    Snyper, I might suggest that you edit your response a little.

    You see there is a fine line between three categories.

    1. Newbie - Occasionally ask silly questions and get flamed.
    2. Cracker Wannabe - Constantly ask silly questions and get banned.
    3. Malicious ****er - Sure to be instantly banned from here find alt.2600 newsgroup and get arrested.

    Change your thinking snyper and learn from the best.

    If you have a security related question or POV post it. If you want to be malicious seek out your 2600 brothers.


    P.S rather than waste a new thread heres the SMTP Commands


    The SMTP ( Simpel Mail Transfer Protocol ) protocol uses port number 25.

    Commands :

    helo domain - connection check between smtp servers
    mail from:<adres> - email adres of sender
    rcpt to:<adres> - email adres of recipient
    data message - the email message
    rset - abort and reset current mail transmission
    vrfy string - confirm that string is a user name
    help [command] - list of avaible commands on server
    quit - close and quit transmission

    I was looking at the AO home page and despite the fact that there are 5 replies it says 3 ?

    hopefully this ammendment will repair the link so don't neg me for it.

  6. #6

    Thumbs up Nice

    Nice job on the tutorial Mark!
    I learned something new reading through it. You might want to define the acronym POP3 (Post Office Protocol - Version 3) in case anyone is curious. It would really supplement your tutorial nicely.

    Thanks for taking the time to write it for newbies like me!

  7. #7
    er0k
    Guest
    Originally posted here by TwistedSnyper







    I would like to see your smtp tutorial and its not a wait of time. some ppl dunno how to send anonymous emails i jsut wnat to see if your smtp tut. is as good as ur pop3 one. -Twisted-
    im fairly sure just because he wrote an smtp tut, that doenst mean he teaches you how to access smtp's open for relay.

    but good try on getting him to do so, but from what ive seen he isnt stupid, no wonder you have two reds, and i was just about to bail you outta the hole...

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    15
    thanks for taking the time to post this...very informative and to-the-point kind of info
    \"Ships in the harbour are safe, but that is not what ships are made for\" -Unknown

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Posts
    344
    nice tutorial good stuff and i learned a little bit. Thank you
    Support your right to arm bears.


    ^^This was the first video game which i played on an old win3.1 box

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