Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of a firewall's Threat Prevention feature?

1. To filter URLs

2. To prevent unauthorized access

3. To block malware

4. To manage IP address conflicts

The correct answer is: To block malware

The primary function of a firewall's Threat Prevention feature is to block malware. This capability is crucial for protecting an organization's network from various types of cyber threats, such as viruses, worms, spyware, and ransomware. By actively identifying and blocking malicious traffic before it reaches its intended target, the Threat Prevention feature helps to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the integrity of systems. This feature typically employs various techniques, including signature-based detection, heuristics, and behavioral analysis, to identify and mitigate potential threats in real-time. By focusing on malware blocking, firewalls enhance the overall security posture of the network, ensuring that harmful software cannot spread and cause damage. Other options, while relevant to general firewall functionality, do not encapsulate the specific role of the Threat Prevention feature. Filtering URLs relates more to web filtering and access control, preventing unauthorized access is a broader firewall function, and managing IP address conflicts deals with network configuration rather than threat detection and prevention.