Excessive Resources From SSH & IMAP Connections?

Server Config
1

Hi All,

I run a linux VPS box that has CSF and LFD installed (http://www.configserver.com/cp/csf.html). Now and then I get a warning from from LFD that a process is taking up too many resources. The main two are bash (via SSH) and my new client’s IMAP connection to his email.

Time:         Thu Jul 22 14:48:31 2010 -0700
Account:      [edited]
Resource:     Process Time
Exceeded:     5470 > 1800 (seconds)
Executable:   [edited]
PID:          17591
Killed:       No

Are these processes really taking that many resources? Should I ask my client to simply switch to POP?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Ansel