What are clear text protocols? You are likely using one right now (HTTP). Clear text protocols are communication methods that do not encrypt data. They include popular services like POP3 and remote MySQL connections. Using a clear text protocol is akin to writing a letter to someone on the outside of an envelope. Anyone handling your letter could easily read its contents. Similarly, when you login to check your email using POP3, anyone with access to the network path could capture your login information and other contents using a packet sniffer. Popular programs like Ettercap make this easy to do