- A
A network rule with destination port 443 and protocol TCP, and the destination IP address set to the resolved IPs of the FQDNs
Why wrong: Network rules filter traffic based on IP addresses and ports, but they do not support FQDN filtering. Using network rules would require you to manually track IP address changes, which is not practical.
- B
An application rule with the 'Https' protocol and the target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com'
Application rules are designed to allow or deny outbound traffic based on FQDNs. For HTTPS traffic, you can specify the target FQDNs and the protocol (Https). This is the correct configuration to allow traffic to specific domains while blocking others.
- C
A NAT rule that translates the source IP to a public IP and allows traffic to any destination on port 443
Why wrong: NAT rules are used to translate inbound traffic destinations; they do not control outbound traffic filtering based on FQDNs.
- D
A DNAT rule that redirects outbound HTTPS traffic to an internal proxy server
Why wrong: DNAT rules are for inbound traffic. This does not filter outbound traffic to specific FQDNs.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is an application rule with the Https protocol and the target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com'. This is because Azure Firewall application rules are specifically designed for outbound HTTP and HTTPS traffic filtering based on fully qualified domain names (FQDNs), using the TLS Server Name Indication (SNI) extension to inspect the requested domain within encrypted traffic. On the AZ-500 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the distinction between network rules (which filter by IP/port) and application rules (which filter by FQDN for web traffic). A common trap is confusing application rules with network rules or forgetting that HTTPS filtering requires the SNI extension to be present. Remember the memory tip: "Apps use FQDNs, Networks use IPs"—so for outbound web traffic to specific domains like *.contoso.com, always reach for an application rule with the appropriate protocol.
AZ-500 Secure networking Practice Question
This AZ-500 practice question tests your understanding of secure networking. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Your company uses Azure Firewall to protect a virtual network. The security team needs to allow outbound HTTPS traffic from a specific subnet to a set of FQDNs, such as '*.contoso.com', while blocking all other outbound traffic. Which type of Azure Firewall rule should they configure?
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
An application rule with the 'Https' protocol and the target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com'
Option B is correct because Azure Firewall application rules are specifically designed to allow outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic based on fully qualified domain names (FQDNs). By configuring an application rule with protocol 'Https' and target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com', the firewall inspects the TLS Server Name Indication (SNI) extension to match the requested domain, allowing traffic only to the specified FQDNs while blocking all other outbound 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.
- ✗
A network rule with destination port 443 and protocol TCP, and the destination IP address set to the resolved IPs of the FQDNs
Why it's wrong here
Network rules filter traffic based on IP addresses and ports, but they do not support FQDN filtering. Using network rules would require you to manually track IP address changes, which is not practical.
- ✓
An application rule with the 'Https' protocol and the target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com'
Why this is correct
Application rules are designed to allow or deny outbound traffic based on FQDNs. For HTTPS traffic, you can specify the target FQDNs and the protocol (Https). This is the correct configuration to allow traffic to specific domains while blocking others.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A NAT rule that translates the source IP to a public IP and allows traffic to any destination on port 443
Why it's wrong here
NAT rules are used to translate inbound traffic destinations; they do not control outbound traffic filtering based on FQDNs.
- ✗
A DNAT rule that redirects outbound HTTPS traffic to an internal proxy server
Why it's wrong here
DNAT rules are for inbound traffic. This does not filter outbound traffic to specific FQDNs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse network rules (which filter by IP/port) with application rules (which filter by FQDN), leading them to choose Option A because they think resolved IPs are sufficient, ignoring the dynamic nature of FQDNs and the need for domain-level control.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure Firewall application rules inspect the TLS SNI field in the ClientHello handshake for HTTPS traffic (port 443) to match against the configured FQDNs, allowing domain-level filtering without decrypting the traffic. This approach supports wildcard patterns like '*.contoso.com' and is essential for scenarios where IP addresses change frequently or where you need to restrict access to specific SaaS endpoints. Under the hood, the firewall uses a proxy-based architecture for application rules, terminating the TLS connection and re-establishing it to the destination, which enables logging of the full URL path.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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.
- →
Secure networking — study guide chapter
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- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-500 question test?
Secure networking — This question tests Secure networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: An application rule with the 'Https' protocol and the target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com' — Option B is correct because Azure Firewall application rules are specifically designed to allow outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic based on fully qualified domain names (FQDNs). By configuring an application rule with protocol 'Https' and target FQDNs set to '*.contoso.com', the firewall inspects the TLS Server Name Indication (SNI) extension to match the requested domain, allowing traffic only to the specified FQDNs while blocking all other outbound traffic.
What should I do if I get this AZ-500 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-500 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 AZ-500 exam.
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