What is the standard communication protocol used for sending and receiving emails?

The standard communication protocol used for sending and receiving emails is Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). SMTP is specifically designed for the transmission of email messages between servers and from email clients to the server. It operates over the Internet and allows the reliable transfer of electronic mail.

While other protocols like Post Office Protocol (POP) and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) are used for retrieving and managing emails from a server, SMTP is primarily focused on the sending aspect. HTTP, on the other hand, is used for transferring web pages and other resources on the web, making it unsuitable for email communication. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is utilized for transferring files between computers on a network and does not relate to email transmission. Thus, the use of SMTP is essential for the sending of email messages, highlighting its fundamental role in the email communication process.