What does 'clear text' refer to in data transmission?

'Clear text' refers to data that is transmitted in a format that is readable and not encrypted. When data is in clear text, it can be easily understood and accessed by anyone who intercepts it during transmission. This means the data is sent in its original, human-readable format, which poses a security risk, as it can potentially be viewed or manipulated by unauthorized parties.

In contrast to encrypted messages, which are specifically altered to prevent unauthorized access, clear text does not include any form of protection against interception. This is crucial to understand in the context of data security, as the use of clear text should generally be avoided for sensitive information being transmitted over networks.