Watchguard Network Security Practice Test

Which threats can the Firebox prevent with the default packet handling settings?

1. Access to inappropriate websites

2. Denial of service attacks

3. Flood attacks

4. Malware in downloaded files

The correct answer is: Denial of service attacks

The Firebox is designed to actively protect networks from various types of threats, and its default packet handling settings are tailored to detect and mitigate specific attacks. Among the listed threats, denial of service (DoS) attacks are particularly targeted by these settings. Default packet handling involves measures such as traffic analysis, connection tracking, and rate-limiting, which are crucial for identifying and blocking excessive traffic that characterizes DoS attacks. By monitoring for unusual spikes in traffic and filtering out potentially malicious requests, the Firebox can effectively prevent these attacks from overwhelming network resources, which is a core function of its security features. This capability highlights the device's primary role in maintaining network availability and performance. Other threats listed, such as access to inappropriate websites, flood attacks, and malware in downloaded files, might require additional configuration, specific policies, or the use of comprehensive security services beyond the default packet handling settings to be effectively mitigated.