emailing

Emailing is the process of composing, sending, receiving, and organizing electronic mail over computer networks. It is a core method of digital communication for individuals and organizations, supporting plain text and rich content, attachments, and metadata delivered via standardized server-based infrastructure.

Email originated on early networks in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1971, Ray Tomlinson implemented the first networked email program and introduced the @ symbol for separating user name and host. Modern email relies on protocols such as SMTP for sending messages and IMAP or POP3 for retrieving them from a server. Messages are stored on servers and accessed through clients or web interfaces.

An email address consists of a local part and a domain, separated by @. Domains used to receive mail must have valid DNS MX records. Messages follow RFC 5322 formatting and may use MIME to attach files and support multimedia.

Good emailing practice includes clear subject lines, concise content, and appropriate recipients or distribution lists. Be mindful of reply-all, attachment size limits, and accessibility needs. When sending sensitive information, encryption and secure handling should be considered.

Security concerns include spam, phishing, spoofing, and interception. In transit, TLS with STARTTLS protects messages; end-to-end encryption (S/MIME or PGP) protects content. Email authentication mechanisms such as DKIM, SPF, and DMARC help verify senders and reduce abuse.

Delivery and storage are managed by mail servers, with filters, quotas, and archiving used for organization and compliance.