🌐 Project Overview

This lab demonstrates how HTTP traffic is transmitted in plaintext and can be observed using packet capture tools. The objective was to show why unencrypted protocols like HTTP present security risks, as sensitive data can be exposed during transmission.

📄 Full Technical Report:
Download the Plaintext HTTP Traffic Analysis Report

🧪 Lab Setup

Role Tool Used
Packet Capture tcpdump
Server Netcat (nc) listening on port 80
Client Netcat (nc) connecting to localhost
Interface Loopback (lo)

⚙️ Packet Capture

```bash sudo tcpdump -i lo -A

Packet capture showing plaintext traffic

Server Configuration

nc -lvp 80

Netcat server listening

Client Connection

nc 127.0.0.1 80 -v

Netcat client connection

🔍 Key Observation The captured packets revealed that HTTP traffic is readable in plaintext. Data appeared in ASCII format within tcpdump output, demonstrating the absence of encryption.

🔐 Security Implication

Unencrypted HTTP traffic allows attackers on the network to intercept and read transmitted data. This highlights the importance of HTTPS and TLS encryption.

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🎯 Skills Demonstrated

Packet capture and inspection

Understanding of plaintext vs encrypted traffic

Security implications of unencrypted protocols

Practical traffic monitoring