PCNSA Managing Objects Practice Question
An admin creates an application group named 'web-apps' that includes 'web-browsing' and 'ssl'. They apply it to a security rule. However, traffic from a client accessing Facebook is being blocked. What is a likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume 'web-browsing' and 'ssl' cover all HTTPS traffic, but Palo Alto Networks treats each application (e.g., Facebook, YouTube) as a separate App-ID, so a rule must explicitly include the specific application to allow it.
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
✓
Facebook uses a different application not in the group
Facebook traffic is identified by the 'facebook-base' application, not by 'web-browsing' or 'ssl'. The application group 'web-apps' only includes 'web-browsing' and 'ssl', so any application not matching those signatures—such as Facebook—will not be allowed by the rule. Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls use App-ID to classify traffic based on application signatures, and a security rule only permits traffic that matches the applications explicitly listed in the rule or group.
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 rule has no source zone
Why it's wrong here
Missing zone would block all traffic regardless of application.
- ✗
The rule's action is set to allow but the application group is configured incorrectly
Why it's wrong here
The group is correctly configured; the traffic simply doesn't match the group's applications.
- ✓
Facebook uses a different application not in the group
Why this is correct
Facebook is identified as 'facebook' or similar, not 'web-browsing'.
- ✗
The application group includes 'ssl' which is not an application
Why it's wrong here
'ssl' is a valid application object for SSL traffic.
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JA
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.