20 SMTP Quiz Questions and Answers

SMTP, or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is a standard internet protocol used for sending and relaying email messages between servers. It operates on port 25 by default and follows a client-server model, where the client (such as an email program) connects to the server to transmit emails. SMTP ensures reliable delivery by handling tasks like authentication, error reporting, and message formatting, making it a foundational element of global email communication.

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Part 2: 20 SMTP quiz questions & answers

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1. What is the primary function of SMTP?
A) Retrieving emails from a server
B) Sending emails between servers
C) Storing emails on a local device
D) Encrypting email attachments
Answer: B
Explanation: SMTP is designed specifically for transmitting emails from a sender’s mail server to the recipient’s mail server.

2. Which port is commonly used for SMTP traffic?
A) 110
B) 25
C) 143
D) 465
Answer: B
Explanation: Port 25 is the standard port for SMTP, used for relaying emails between mail servers.

3. What does the SMTP command “HELO” do?
A) Starts the email data transfer
B) Identifies the sender’s domain
C) Specifies the recipient’s address
D) Ends the SMTP session
Answer: B
Explanation: The HELO command initiates the SMTP conversation by allowing the client to identify itself to the server.

4. Which SMTP response code indicates a successful operation?
A) 550
B) 250
C) 451
D) 500
Answer: B
Explanation: A 250 response code means the command was accepted and the operation was successful.

5. What is the purpose of the SMTP “MAIL FROM” command?
A) To specify the email subject
B) To indicate the sender’s email address
C) To list all recipients
D) To send the email body
Answer: B
Explanation: The MAIL FROM command specifies the email address of the sender in the envelope.

6. How does SMTP handle multiple recipients in an email?
A) Using a single RCPT TO command
B) By repeating the MAIL FROM command
C) With separate RCPT TO commands for each recipient
D) By including them in the email header only
Answer: C
Explanation: SMTP uses multiple RCPT TO commands to specify each recipient individually before sending the email data.

7. What does EHLO differ from HELO in SMTP?
A) EHLO is not a valid command
B) EHLO supports extended features and returns server capabilities
C) EHLO is used only for encrypted connections
D) EHLO ends the session
Answer: B
Explanation: EHLO is an extended version of HELO that allows the server to advertise its supported extensions.

8. Which protocol is SMTP often confused with, but is used for receiving emails?
A) FTP
B) POP3
C) HTTP
D) TCP
Answer: B
Explanation: While SMTP is for sending emails, POP3 is used for retrieving emails from a server to a client.

9. What happens if an SMTP server receives a 550 response code?
A) The email is successfully delivered
B) The email is rejected due to an error, like an invalid recipient
C) The connection is established
D) The server requests more data
Answer: B
Explanation: A 550 code indicates a permanent failure, such as the recipient not existing.

10. Which command in SMTP is used to send the actual email content?
A) MAIL FROM
B) RCPT TO
C) DATA
D) QUIT
Answer: C
Explanation: The DATA command signals the start of the email message body transmission.

11. Is SMTP capable of handling email attachments directly?
A) Yes, using base64 encoding
B) No, it only handles plain text
C) Yes, through MIME extensions
D) No, attachments require a separate protocol
Answer: C
Explanation: SMTP supports attachments via MIME, which encodes and includes them in the email body.

12. What is the role of SMTP in the email delivery process?
A) It stores emails indefinitely
B) It relays emails from the sender’s server to the recipient’s server
C) It decrypts incoming emails
D) It manages user authentication only
Answer: B
Explanation: SMTP’s main role is to facilitate the transfer of emails between mail servers.

13. Which port is typically used for SMTP with TLS?
A) 25
B) 587
C) 110
D) 993
Answer: B
Explanation: Port 587 is used for SMTP submission with TLS for secure email sending from clients.

14. What does the SMTP “RCPT TO” command specify?
A) The sender’s email address
B) The recipient’s email address
C) The email subject
D) The attachment size
Answer: B
Explanation: RCPT TO specifies the recipients who should receive the email in the envelope.

15. Can SMTP operate without authentication?
A) Yes, for local networks only
B) No, it always requires authentication
C) Yes, but it’s not recommended for security reasons
D) Yes, in all cases
Answer: C
Explanation: SMTP can function without authentication, especially on port 25, but this poses security risks like spam.

16. What is a common limitation of basic SMTP?
A) It cannot handle large emails
B) It does not support encryption by default
C) It requires constant internet connectivity
D) It only works with IPv4
Answer: B
Explanation: Basic SMTP lacks built-in encryption, making it vulnerable unless extended with TLS.

17. How does SMTP handle email bounces?
A) By automatically resending the email
B) By generating an error message back to the sender
C) By deleting the email
D) By forwarding it to another server
Answer: B
Explanation: If delivery fails, SMTP servers send a bounce message (e.g., with a 5xx code) back to the sender.

18. What is the difference between SMTP and ESMTP?
A) ESMTP is an older version
B) SMTP is for sending, ESMTP adds extensions
C) They are the same protocol
D) ESMTP is only for receiving
Answer: B
Explanation: ESMTP (Extended SMTP) builds on SMTP by supporting additional features through commands like EHLO.

19. In SMTP, what does a 221 response code mean?
A) Service ready
B) Closing connection
C) Syntax error
D) Recipient OK
Answer: B
Explanation: A 221 code indicates the server is closing the transmission channel.

20. Why is SMTP often used with other protocols like POP3 or IMAP?
A) To combine sending and receiving in one protocol
B) Because SMTP handles sending, while POP3/IMAP handle receiving
C) To encrypt the entire email process
D) Because SMTP cannot function alone
Answer: B
Explanation: SMTP is for outgoing emails, whereas POP3 or IMAP are used for incoming email retrieval, making them complementary.

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