- A
Create an application override rule to force the identification.
Correct: Application override ensures the custom signature is used, overriding the default identification.
- B
Create a security policy rule that explicitly allows the custom application.
Why wrong: Security policy rules use the identified application; they do not affect identification.
- C
Change the default port of the custom application from 443 to a different port.
Why wrong: Changing the port would not match the actual traffic.
- D
Disable SSL decryption for that traffic.
Why wrong: Disabling decryption does not change App-ID identification.
Question 35 of 516
How to Fix Custom Application Signature Misidentified as SSL Using Application Override
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic and app-id. 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.
During an audit, it is discovered that some traffic from a legacy application is being incorrectly identified as 'ssl' because the application uses a custom encryption scheme over TCP port 443. The engineer has created a custom application signature that matches the legacy application's handshake. What additional configuration is needed to ensure the legacy application is correctly identified?
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
✓
Create an application override rule to force the identification.
Option A is correct because an application override rule forces App-ID to classify traffic based on the custom signature, bypassing the default identification that incorrectly flags the legacy application's custom encryption over TCP 443 as 'ssl'. Without the override, App-ID may still match the traffic to the built-in 'ssl' application due to port-based heuristics, even with a custom signature defined. The override ensures the custom application is applied to the session, overriding any conflicting App-ID results.
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.
- ✓
Create an application override rule to force the identification.
Why this is correct
Correct: Application override ensures the custom signature is used, overriding the default identification.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a security policy rule that explicitly allows the custom application.
Why it's wrong here
Security policy rules use the identified application; they do not affect identification.
- ✗
Change the default port of the custom application from 443 to a different port.
Why it's wrong here
Changing the port would not match the actual traffic.
- ✗
Disable SSL decryption for that traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling decryption does not change App-ID identification.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume creating a custom signature alone is sufficient to reclassify traffic, but they overlook that App-ID's port-based heuristics for well-known ports like 443 can override signature matches unless an explicit application override is configured.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
App-ID uses multiple identification mechanisms in order: protocol decoding, signature matching, and heuristics. When traffic on TCP 443 matches the 'ssl' protocol decoder (due to port-based heuristics), it can override a custom signature unless an application override is configured to force the custom application. The override is applied in the security policy rule and takes precedence over all other App-ID results, ensuring the session is tagged with the correct application from the start.
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 PCNSE 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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Securing Traffic and App-ID — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Securing Traffic and App-ID — This question tests Securing Traffic and App-ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an application override rule to force the identification. — Option A is correct because an application override rule forces App-ID to classify traffic based on the custom signature, bypassing the default identification that incorrectly flags the legacy application's custom encryption over TCP 443 as 'ssl'. Without the override, App-ID may still match the traffic to the built-in 'ssl' application due to port-based heuristics, even with a custom signature defined. The override ensures the custom application is applied to the session, overriding any conflicting App-ID results.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE 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: Jul 4, 2026
This PCNSE 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 PCNSE exam.
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