- A
The proxy listener is not configured to listen on the correct port
Why wrong: Proxy listener should be set to port 8080 or similar, but that would affect all traffic, not just HTTPS.
- B
The Burp CA certificate has not been installed in the browser's trust store
Correct. Burp acts as a man-in-the-middle for HTTPS by generating a certificate for each site signed by its own CA. The browser's trust store must contain the Burp CA certificate, or it will reject the connection.
- C
The browser's proxy settings are not configured to use Burp
Why wrong: If proxy settings were missing, HTTP would also not be intercepted; the issue is specific to HTTPS.
- D
The target site is not in Burp's scope
Why wrong: Scope affects whether requests are logged, not whether they are intercepted.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the Burp CA certificate has not been installed in the browser’s trust store. Burp Suite intercepts HTTPS traffic by acting as a man-in-the-middle proxy, which requires the browser to trust Burp’s self-signed CA certificate; without it, the browser rejects the proxy’s TLS connection, leaving requests encrypted end-to-end and invisible to Burp. On the CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of proxy configuration for TLS interception—a common trap is assuming the proxy itself handles certificate validation automatically. Remember that Burp Suite HTTPS interception fails not because of a network issue, but because the browser lacks trust in the proxy’s certificate authority. A useful memory tip: “No CA trust means no TLS bust.”
PT0-002 Tools and Code Analysis Practice Question
This PT0-002 practice question tests your understanding of tools and code analysis. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
A penetration tester is using Burp Suite to intercept and modify HTTP traffic. When browsing to an HTTPS site, the tester observes that the requests are encrypted and not being intercepted by Burp. Which configuration step is most likely missing?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The Burp CA certificate has not been installed in the browser's trust store
Burp Suite intercepts HTTPS traffic by acting as a man-in-the-middle, which requires the browser to trust Burp's self-signed CA certificate. Without installing the Burp CA certificate in the browser's trust store, the browser will refuse to establish a TLS connection through the proxy, leaving requests encrypted end-to-end and invisible to Burp.
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.
- ✗
The proxy listener is not configured to listen on the correct port
Why it's wrong here
Proxy listener should be set to port 8080 or similar, but that would affect all traffic, not just HTTPS.
- ✓
The Burp CA certificate has not been installed in the browser's trust store
Why this is correct
Correct. Burp acts as a man-in-the-middle for HTTPS by generating a certificate for each site signed by its own CA. The browser's trust store must contain the Burp CA certificate, or it will reject the connection.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The browser's proxy settings are not configured to use Burp
Why it's wrong here
If proxy settings were missing, HTTP would also not be intercepted; the issue is specific to HTTPS.
- ✗
The target site is not in Burp's scope
Why it's wrong here
Scope affects whether requests are logged, not whether they are intercepted.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse proxy configuration (setting the browser to use Burp as a proxy) with TLS interception setup, assuming that simply pointing the browser at the proxy is sufficient to intercept HTTPS traffic.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Proxy listener should be set to port 8080 or similar, but that would affect all traffic, not just HTTPS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Burp Suite generates a unique CA certificate on first launch, which it uses to dynamically sign certificates for each HTTPS site visited. The browser performs certificate validation against its trust store; without the Burp CA installed, the browser will present a TLS warning or fail to connect, and Burp cannot decrypt the traffic. In a real-world assessment, this step is often automated via Burp's 'Install CA Certificate' feature or by importing the certificate into the OS or browser store.
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 developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
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.
- →
Tools and Code Analysis — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Tools and Code Analysis practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All PT0-002 questions
509 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA PenTest+ PT0-002 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
PT0-002 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related PT0-002 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Planning and Scoping practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Planning and Scoping.
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning.
Attacks and Exploits practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Attacks and Exploits.
Reporting and Communication practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Reporting and Communication.
Tools and Code Analysis practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to Tools and Code Analysis.
PT0-002 fundamentals practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 fundamentals.
PT0-002 scenario practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 scenario.
PT0-002 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise PT0-002 questions linked to PT0-002 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free PT0-002 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PT0-002 question test?
Tools and Code Analysis — This question tests Tools and Code Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Burp CA certificate has not been installed in the browser's trust store — Burp Suite intercepts HTTPS traffic by acting as a man-in-the-middle, which requires the browser to trust Burp's self-signed CA certificate. Without installing the Burp CA certificate in the browser's trust store, the browser will refuse to establish a TLS connection through the proxy, leaving requests encrypted end-to-end and invisible to Burp.
What should I do if I get this PT0-002 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This PT0-002 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 PT0-002 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.