156-215.81.20 Application Control and URL Filtering Practice Question
An administrator notices that a user is able to access a website categorized as 'Social Networking' even though the URL Filtering policy blocks that category. The administrator confirms the policy is installed and the user's traffic is inspected. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that URL Filtering works identically for HTTP and HTTPS without additional configuration.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The user is accessing the website via HTTPS, and HTTPS inspection is not enabled.
HTTPS inspection is required for URL Filtering to categorize and enforce policy on encrypted traffic. Without it, the gateway cannot see the full URL or category, so the block rule for 'Social Networking' may not apply. Enabling HTTPS inspection resolves this.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The user's IP address is excluded from the URL Filtering policy via a bypass rule.
Why it's wrong here
A bypass rule would allow all traffic from that IP, not just the social networking site. The scenario indicates the user can access the site but does not specify other traffic. While possible, this is less likely than an HTTPS inspection gap, which is a common oversight.
- ✗
The 'Social Networking' category is set to 'Ask' instead of 'Block' in the policy.
Why it's wrong here
If the category were set to 'Ask', the user would be prompted, not silently allowed. The scenario states the user accesses the site without mention of a prompt, so this is unlikely. The action is likely 'Block' as per the administrator's description.
- ✗
The website is also categorized under a custom category that is allowed.
Why it's wrong here
Custom categories are user-defined and take precedence only if explicitly configured. If the site is in both a blocked and an allowed custom category, the policy order determines the action. However, this scenario is less common than HTTPS inspection bypass.
- ✓
The user is accessing the website via HTTPS, and HTTPS inspection is not enabled.
Why this is correct
Without HTTPS inspection, the gateway cannot see the full URL or category of encrypted traffic. URL Filtering relies on inspecting the HTTP Host header or SNI, but if the site uses HTTPS and inspection is off, the category may not be enforced, allowing access despite the block rule.
Visual reference
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Check Point exam blueprint
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