IMAPS

IMAPS (Internet Message Access Protocol Secure) is a protocol used for securely retrieving emails from a mail server. It operates over port 993 and uses SSL/TLS to encrypt the communication between the email client and the server. This ensures that the email data is protected from eavesdropping and tampering during transmission.

What is IMAPS

IMAPS, or Internet Message Access Protocol Secure, is an extension of the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) that provides secure communication between email clients and servers. By operating over port 993 and utilizing SSL/TLS encryption, IMAPS ensures that email data is transmitted securely, protecting it from potential eavesdroppers and man-in-the-middle attacks.

The IMAP protocol itself allows users to access and manage their email directly on the mail server, providing features such as email synchronization across multiple devices and the ability to organize emails into folders. IMAPS enhances this functionality by adding a layer of security, making it a preferred choice for users who prioritize privacy and data integrity.

IMAPS was developed to address the security vulnerabilities inherent in the standard IMAP protocol, which transmits data in plain text. By leveraging SSL/TLS, IMAPS encrypts the entire communication session, including the user's credentials and email content. This makes it significantly more difficult for attackers to intercept and read sensitive information.

Many email service providers, including major ones like Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and Outlook, support IMAPS to ensure that their users' email communications are secure. As a result, IMAPS has become a widely adopted standard for secure email retrieval, providing peace of mind to both individual users and organizations.

IMAPS runs on TCP port 993 and is official IANA port.

Security risk

If port 993 is open and the IMAPS service is running, the primary risk is related to potential vulnerabilities in the email server software. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to email accounts or intercept email communications. Ensuring that the email server software is up-to-date and properly configured can mitigate these risks.

In our UFW tutorial you can follow instructions how you can configure UFW to close port 993. Use StackChanges to monitor if the IMAPS port is closed and stays closed. StackChanges will send an alert if port 993 is open again.