Password Authentication Protocol (PAP) is a remote access protocol that uses a static authentication method, which means that the username and password are sent in clear text over the network. PAP is considered insecure and vulnerable to eavesdropping and replay attacks, as anyone who can capture the network traffic can obtain the credentials. PAP is supported by Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), which is a common protocol for establishing remote connections over dial-up, broadband, or wireless networks. PAP is usually used as a fallback option when more secure protocols, such as Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) or Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP), are not available or compatible.