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

Which tactic masks application traffic over port 443 (HTTPS)?

1. Using non-standard ports

2. Hopping ports

3. Hiding within SSL encryption

4. Tunneling

The correct answer is: Hiding within SSL encryption

Masking application traffic over port 443 (HTTPS) typically involves using SSL encryption to conceal the actual data being transmitted. When application traffic is sent over HTTPS, the data payload is encrypted, which prevents unauthorized parties from inspecting or deciphering the contents of that communication. This ensures that sensitive information remains private and secure during transmission. In this context, the option highlighting the use of SSL encryption is the most appropriate for masking the traffic, as it directly relates to the security model of HTTPS. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS protocols to encrypt the data, thus providing confidentiality and integrity for the communication. Consequently, the true nature of the application traffic is hidden from view, making this tactic effective for masking the data being transmitted over port 443. Other options may involve techniques related to networking or data transmission, but do not specifically address the use of encryption to mask application data in the way HTTPS does.