mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A company's web server is accessible from the…
A company's web server is accessible from the internet, but users report that they cannot upload files to it using a web browser. The server is configured to allow file uploads via HTTP. Which protocol is most likely being blocked by the firewall?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common pitfall in CompTIA A+ exams is to think that HTTPS is required for secure uploads, but the question explicitly states the server is configured for HTTP, so blocking HTTPS is irrelevant; the trap is confusing the protocol used for uploads (HTTP) with its secure variant (HTTPS).
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
✓
HTTP
The question states that the server is configured to allow file uploads via HTTP, yet users cannot upload files using a web browser. Since HTTP (port 80) is the protocol used for web browser uploads, the firewall is most likely blocking HTTP traffic. If HTTP were allowed, the uploads would succeed; the symptom points directly to HTTP being blocked.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) operates on port 443 and encrypts web traffic using SSL/TLS, ensuring secure communication between a client and a web server. While a web server accessible via HTTPS indicates a secure connection is established, the scenario describes uploads failing. If the server is accessible via HTTPS, it means the secure channel is functional. However, if the underlying HTTP methods for file uploads are being blocked (e.g., port 80 for non-secure HTTP uploads, or specific HTTP POST requests are filtered), then uploads could fail even with HTTPS access for browsing. HTTPS itself is the secure transport, not the specific mechanism for upload failure if the server is otherwise reachable.
- ✗
FTP
Why it's wrong here
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a dedicated protocol for transferring files between a client and a server, typically using ports 20 (data) and 21 (control). While FTP is indeed used for file transfers, the question specifically refers to "uploads via a web browser." Web browsers primarily use HTTP/HTTPS for content delivery and interaction, including file uploads initiated through web forms or interfaces. FTP requires a separate FTP client or specific browser support (which is diminishing) and is not the default protocol for web-based file uploads.
- ✓
HTTP
Why this is correct
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) operates on port 80 and is the foundational protocol for the World Wide Web, governing how web browsers and servers communicate. Many web-based file upload mechanisms, especially older ones or those not strictly enforcing HTTPS for all transactions, rely on HTTP POST requests. If port 80 is blocked by a firewall or network configuration, or if the HTTP service itself is misconfigured, web-based uploads would fail even if the web server is otherwise accessible for browsing via HTTPS (port 443). This selective blocking explains why access might work, but uploads do not.
- ✗
SMTP
Why it's wrong here
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) operates primarily on ports 25 (unencrypted) or 587 (encrypted with STARTTLS) and is exclusively designed for sending and receiving email messages between mail servers or from a client to a mail server. It is entirely unrelated to the functionality of a web server hosting website content or handling file uploads directly through a web browser interface. Therefore, a blockage or issue with SMTP would not impact a user's ability to upload files to a web server via a browser.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 972 original 220-1201 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.