Why is the #pop3.mail.isp (ie #pop3.blueyonder.co.uk) required when it works without it?

This is because avast Internet Mail provider supports multiple POP3 accounts, and this is the way it distinguishes between them (it’s probably the only way to do it, by the way). If you have only one POP3 account, you really don’t have to have the server-name specified in the login, as avast will use the default POP server you have specified in the Mail Protection Wizard… :wink:

Hope this helps,
Vlk

BTW cool picture!