What protocol is used for sending emails?

The protocol used for sending emails is the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, commonly known as SMTP. This protocol is specifically designed for transferring electronic mail messages between servers and is a fundamental component of email communication on the internet. SMTP operates over the standard TCP port 25 and is responsible for pushing emails from the sender’s email server to the recipient’s email server.

When you compose an email and hit 'send,' SMTP takes over by packaging the message and routing it through the internet to its destination, ensuring it arrives at the correct mailbox. Its simplicity and effectiveness in handling email delivery tasks have made SMTP the de facto standard for email transmission.

In contrast, other protocols listed serve different purposes. FTP is primarily used for transferring files between computers, whereas HTTP is the foundation for data communication on the World Wide Web. SNMP is utilized for the management and monitoring of networked devices. Each of these protocols plays important roles in different aspects of networking, but only SMTP is designed for the specific task of sending emails.