- A
firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-service=https
Why wrong: This adds the rule but not permanently; it will be lost after reload.
- B
firewall-cmd --service=https --add --zone=public --permanent
Why wrong: The syntax is incorrect; --add-service is the correct option.
- C
firewall-cmd --add-port=443/tcp --zone=public --permanent
Why wrong: While this also works, the question specifically asks for HTTPS service, and using --add-service is the preferred method.
- D
firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent
This adds the HTTPS service to the public zone permanently.
Question 215 of 1,000
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A system administrator is configuring firewalld on a Linux server. They want to allow incoming HTTPS traffic permanently for the public zone. Which command should be used?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent
Option D is correct because the `firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent` command adds the HTTPS service (TCP port 443) to the public zone and makes the rule persistent across reboots. The `--permanent` flag ensures the change survives a firewall reload or system restart, and the `--zone=public` targets the correct network zone for incoming traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-service=https
Why it's wrong here
This adds the rule but not permanently; it will be lost after reload.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --service=https --add --zone=public --permanent
Why it's wrong here
The syntax is incorrect; --add-service is the correct option.
- ✗
firewall-cmd --add-port=443/tcp --zone=public --permanent
Why it's wrong here
While this also works, the question specifically asks for HTTPS service, and using --add-service is the preferred method.
- ✓
firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent
Why this is correct
This adds the HTTPS service to the public zone permanently.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget the `--permanent` flag or confuse the order of arguments, leading them to choose Option A (runtime-only change) or Option B (invalid syntax), while Option C works but is not the best practice for service-based rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Firewalld uses zones to define trust levels for network connections; the public zone is typically used for untrusted networks like the internet. The `--add-service` option references predefined service definitions in `/usr/lib/firewalld/services/`, which include both the port and protocol (e.g., `https.xml` defines TCP/443). Using `--add-port` requires manually specifying the protocol, which can lead to errors if the protocol is omitted or incorrect, whereas services abstract this complexity.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent — Option D is correct because the `firewall-cmd --add-service=https --zone=public --permanent` command adds the HTTPS service (TCP port 443) to the public zone and makes the rule persistent across reboots. The `--permanent` flag ensures the change survives a firewall reload or system restart, and the `--zone=public` targets the correct network zone for incoming traffic.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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