PCNSA Managing Objects Practice Question
A security policy rule references a service object "HTTP" which is pre-defined. What is the default port for the HTTP service object?
⚠ Common exam trap
Palo Alto Networks often tests the distinction between HTTP (port 80) and HTTPS (port 443), and the trap here is that candidates may confuse HTTP with HTTPS or assume a common alternate port like 8080 is the default.
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
✓
80
The HTTP service object in Palo Alto Networks firewalls is pre-defined with TCP port 80, as specified in RFC 7230. This default mapping allows the firewall to identify and apply security policies to standard unencrypted web traffic. Option D is correct because port 80 is the IANA-assigned default port for HTTP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
22
Why it's wrong here
Port 22 carries SSH, not HTTP, so a service object bound to it would match remote-shell traffic rather than web requests. It is tempting because 22 is a well-known pre-defined service, but that service is SSH; HTTP's default is port 80.
- ✗
443
Why it's wrong here
Port 443 carries HTTPS, the TLS-encrypted variant, so it answers a different service object entirely. It is tempting because 443 is the standard web port in modern browsing, but the pre-defined HTTP object maps to port 80, not 443.
- ✗
8080
Why it's wrong here
Port 8080 is a common alternative HTTP listener, not the pre-defined default, so the built-in HTTP object does not resolve to it. It is tempting because administrators frequently run web services on 8080, but that requires a custom service object rather than the pre-defined one.
- ✓
80
Why this is correct
The pre-defined HTTP service object maps to TCP port 80, the standard port for unencrypted web traffic. HTTPS uses 443 instead, so 80 is the correct default for the HTTP object referenced by the rule.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PCNSA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 PCNSA exam.