Last reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · 7 min read
1. E-mail
Electronic mail (e-mail) is the exchange of messages over the Internet. An address has the form username@domain (for example, name@example.com): the @ symbol separates the user and the mail server domain.
Parts of an e-mail
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| To | Primary recipient(s) |
| Cc (carbon copy) | Copies to others; all recipients can see who was copied |
| Bcc (blind carbon copy) | Copies to others; other recipients cannot see these addresses |
| Subject | Short topic line |
| Body | The message text |
| Attachment | Files sent with the mail (size limit applies, typically 20–25 MB) |
| Signature | Automatic closing text |
| Reply / Reply All / Forward | Respond to the sender / to everyone / send to someone else |
| Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Spam, Trash | Standard folders |
Protocols
| Protocol | Function |
|---|---|
| SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) | Sends mail from client to server and between servers |
| POP3 (Post Office Protocol v3) | Downloads mail to one device (usually deletes from the server) |
| IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) | Keeps mail on the server so it can be accessed from many devices and synchronised |
| MIME | Allows non-text attachments and special characters |
E-mail etiquette (netiquette)
- Use a clear subject; keep the message short and polite.
- Avoid writing in ALL CAPITALS (seen as shouting).
- Check the address, attachments and tone before sending.
- Use Bcc for large mailing lists to protect privacy.
- Do not open attachments or links from unknown senders.
Threats related to mail
| Threat | Description |
|---|---|
| Spam | Unwanted bulk mail |
| Phishing | Fake mails/pages that trick users into giving passwords, OTPs or card data |
| Spoofing | Forged sender address |
| Malware attachments, ransomware links | Infection through attachments |
| Business e-mail compromise | Fraud through impersonation |
Safe practice: do not click unknown links, check the sender domain, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and use strong passwords.
2. Social networking and social media
Social networking sites let users create profiles, share content and connect with others.
| Platform type | Examples (illustrative) |
|---|---|
| Social networks | Facebook, LinkedIn (professional network) |
| Micro-blogging | X (formerly Twitter) |
| Photo/video sharing | Instagram, YouTube |
| Messaging apps | WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal |
| Blogs and forums | Blogger, WordPress, Quora, Reddit |
| Wikis | Wikipedia |
Uses
- Communication, news and public awareness; business promotion; networking and job search; education and e-learning; citizen engagement with government (for example, government departments' official handles).
Risks and safe use
- Privacy loss (oversharing personal data), identity theft, cyber-bullying, fake news and misinformation, online harassment, fraud, and addiction.
- Use privacy settings, strong passwords with 2FA, verify news before sharing, avoid accepting unknown friend requests, and report abuse.
- Legal framework: the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended) deals with cybercrimes; the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 governs personal data.