- A
SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS is the standard for encrypting web traffic (HTTPS).
- B
IPSec
Why wrong: IPSec is used for VPNs and encrypts at the network layer, but it is not typically used for individual web sessions.
- C
SSH
Why wrong: SSH is used for secure remote shell and file transfer, not for web traffic.
- D
SNMPv3
Why wrong: SNMPv3 provides secure network management, not encryption for web traffic.
Question 346 of 520
N10-009 Network Security Practice Question
This N10-009 practice question tests your understanding of network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An attacker is eavesdropping on network traffic to capture sensitive data sent over an unencrypted HTTP connection. Which technology should be implemented to protect data in transit between clients and web servers?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSL/TLS
SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) operates at the application layer to encrypt HTTP traffic, creating HTTPS. This ensures that data transmitted between clients and web servers is encrypted, preventing eavesdroppers from reading sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. TLS is the standard protocol for securing HTTP communications, as defined in RFC 8446.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SSL/TLS
- ✗
IPSec
Why it's wrong here
IPSec is used for VPNs and encrypts at the network layer, but it is not typically used for individual web sessions.
- ✗
SSH
- ✗
SNMPv3
Why it's wrong here
SNMPv3 provides secure network management, not encryption for web traffic.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The N10-009 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓SSL/TLSCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
SSL/TLS is the standard for encrypting web traffic (HTTPS).
✗IPSecWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
IPSec is designed to secure IP communications by encrypting and authenticating IP packets, but it operates at the network layer and is typically used for site-to-site VPNs or remote access, not for protecting individual HTTP sessions between clients and web servers.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
IPSec would be correct in a scenario where an organization needs to secure all traffic between two network segments (e.g., branch office and headquarters) over an untrusted network, such as the internet, by creating an encrypted VPN tunnel.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse IPSec as a general encryption protocol for all network traffic, not realizing that for web traffic (HTTP), SSL/TLS is the standard and more appropriate solution at the application layer.
✗SSHWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
SSH is used for secure remote administration and file transfers, not for protecting HTTP web traffic between clients and servers. It does not integrate with HTTP to encrypt web sessions.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
An exam question asks: 'Which protocol provides encrypted remote shell access and secure file transfer over an unsecured network?' In that context, SSH is the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse SSH with SSL/TLS because both use encryption and have 'secure' in their names, leading them to think SSH can secure web traffic.
Analysis generated from the official N10-009blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between encryption protocols by layering (e.g., IPSec at Layer 3 vs. TLS at Layer 4/Application), causing candidates to pick IPSec because it is a well-known security protocol, even though it does not directly protect HTTP traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TLS uses a handshake process that includes certificate exchange, key agreement (e.g., Diffie-Hellman), and symmetric encryption (e.g., AES) to establish a secure channel. A subtle behavior is that TLS can be configured with different cipher suites, and weak ciphers (like RC4) are now deprecated; in real-world scenarios, misconfigured TLS (e.g., allowing SSLv3) can lead to attacks like POODLE. The protocol also supports session resumption via session IDs or tickets to reduce handshake overhead.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the N10-009 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this N10-009 question test?
Network Security — This question tests Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSL/TLS — SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) operates at the application layer to encrypt HTTP traffic, creating HTTPS. This ensures that data transmitted between clients and web servers is encrypted, preventing eavesdroppers from reading sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. TLS is the standard protocol for securing HTTP communications, as defined in RFC 8446.
What should I do if I get this N10-009 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the N10-009 exam.
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