NS

SMTP HTTP SSL IMAP

Choose FOUR (4) protocols and discuss its details and importance in network security. Research how they aid network security.

SMTP

Definition:
It stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

It is known as RFC 821 and RFC 2821

It is the standard protocol.

It is use for email services on TCP/IP network.

It provide the ability to send and receive email

It is an application-layer protocol that enables transmission and delivery of email over internet

It is created and maintained by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

Importance of SMTP

Prevention of any spamming using authentication mechanisms which only allows authorized users to deliver emails.

How they aid network security

They can use SMTP relay services and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to secure their network.

 

HTTP

Definition:

- It stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol.

- It is the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web (WWW).

- It defines about the processes of the messages is being formatted and transmitted.

- It defines what actions of Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands.  
- Set of rules for transferring files such as graphic images, text, video, sound and other multimedia files on the World Wide Web (WWW).

Importance of HTTP
It equate to faster load of times and for better information display.

How HTTP aid network security

 

SSL

Definition:

It stands for Secure Sockets Layer

It is a standard security technology

It is for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client -- typically a web server (website) and a browser, or a mail server and a mail client (e.g Outlook)

It allows sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, login credentials to be transmitted securely.

For example, when entering a URL in browser, this actually sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page. The other main standard that controls how the World Wide Web works is HTML, which covers how Web pages are formatted and displayed.

Importance of SSL 

Information that has been send through the internet  is passed from computer to computer to get to destination server.

How SSL aid network security

SSL vendors which provide solutions through the server side by applying SSL and providing and constant time computation can aid in security. Security depends upon addressing the areas of vulnerability.

IMAP
Definition:

- Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)

- A standard protocol for accessing email on a remote server from a local client

- IMAP is an application layer Internet Protocol using the underlying transport layer protocols to establish host-to-host communication services for applications

- This allows the use of a remote mail server

- The well-known port address for IMAP is 143.

- IMAP enables users to send and receive emails through a remote server, without support from a particular device

- This type of email access is ideal for travelers receiving or answering emails from their home desktop or office computer

- This term is also known as interactive mail access protocol, Internet mail access protocol, and interim mail access protocol

Importance of IMAP

The emails are stored online the whole time:

• You will not be able to access your emails if offline (Outlook keeps a temporary version of emails but it can be limiting)
• Spaces available for each mail box is limited so if you have lots of emails this may be an issue (we offer larger spaces if required)
• Migrating emails from one server to another can be more challenging if you ever want to move.

How IMAP aid network security

identifying all the places where the vulnerable protocols are deployed, followed closely by making sure that all protocol services are properly configured to enforce encryption either through STARTTLS or IMAP over TLS

 

References:

Techopedia.com. (2019). What is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)? - Definition from Techopedia. [online] Available at: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/1710/simple-mail-transfer-protocol-smtp [Accessed 23 Oct. 2019].

Robichaux, P. (2003). Securing SMTP Email Traffic. [online] IT Pro. Available at: https://www.itprotoday.com/email-and-calendaring/securing-smtp-email-traffic [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

matters, T. and Server, S. (2018). SMTP Server. [online] IONOS Digitalguide. Available at: https://www.ionos.com/digitalguide/e-mail/technical-matters/smtp-server/ [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

MailChannels. (2019). What is an SMTP relay service? | MailChannels. [online] Available at: https://www.mailchannels.com/what-is-an-smtp-relay-service/ [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Sslshopper.com. (2019). Why SSL? The Purpose of using SSL Certificates. [online] Available at: https://www.sslshopper.com/why-ssl-the-purpose-of-using-ssl-certificates.html [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Patel, K. (2013). What is SSL Certificate? How SSL Technology is secured?. [online] SSLRenewals Blog - SSL Certificates News | SSL Articles. Available at: https://sslrenewals.com/blog/how-secure-is-ssl-technology [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Techopedia.com. (2019). What is Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP)? - Definition from Techopedia. [online] Available at: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/1681/internet-message-access-protocol-imap [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Flowebdesign.ie. (2019). What is the difference between POP 3 and IMAP | Flo Web Design Ltd. [online] Available at: https://www.flowebdesign.ie/Technical-Library/Difference-Between-POP3-and-IMAP [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Img.webnots.com. (2019). [online] Available at: https://img.webnots.com/2013/06/HTTP-Request-and-Response-Over-Web-1280x720.png [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Media.geeksforgeeks.org. (2019). [online] Available at: https://media.geeksforgeeks.org/wp-content/cdn-uploads/gq/2017/02/SMTP_1.png [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Askleo.com. (2019). [online] Available at: https://askleo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/imap-600x315.png [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Media.geeksforgeeks.org. (2019). [online] Available at: https://media.geeksforgeeks.org/wp-content/cdn-uploads/gq/2017/02/SMTP_1.png [Accessed 28 Oct. 2019].

Sucuri.net. (2019). [online] Available at: https://sucuri.net/images/17-sucuri-a-ssl-http-vs-https-chart@2.png [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019].

SearchSecurity. (2019). Where does IMAP security fall short, and how can it be fixed?. [online] Available at: https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/tip/Where-does-IMAP-security-fall-short-and-how-can-it-be-fixed [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019].

LSEO. (2017). Importance of HTTPS Explained: SEO Benefits - LSEO. [online] Available at: https://lseo.com/importance-of-https-for-seo-should-everyone-use-it/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2019].