- A
Add a new rule before 'Allow-Web' that permits traffic to 203.0.113.50 on any port and any application.
Why wrong: This bypasses App-ID and permits all traffic to that IP, which is too permissive and could allow malicious traffic.
- B
Change the service in the 'Allow-Web' rule to 'any' to allow web-browsing on any port.
Why wrong: This would allow web-browsing traffic on any port, which is less secure and may expose the network to risks on non-standard ports.
- C
Create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 for the partner's website and add it to the 'Allow-Web' rule alongside 'web-browsing'.
This allows App-ID to recognize the traffic on the non-standard port while maintaining granular control.
- D
Modify the rule to use application 'any' to allow all applications.
Why wrong: This would permit all applications, severely weakening the security posture.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 for the partner’s website and add it to the 'Allow-Web' rule alongside 'web-browsing'. This is necessary because the default 'web-browsing' application only recognizes standard HTTP on TCP 80 and HTTPS on TCP 443, so traffic to a non-standard port like 8080 fails to match the application signature, causing the firewall to fall through to the default deny rule. By defining a custom application for the non-standard port with App-ID, you enable the Palo Alto Networks firewall to identify and permit that specific traffic while still enforcing application-based control, adhering to the security best practice of least privilege. On the PCNSA exam, this scenario tests your understanding that App-ID is port-independent by default, but custom applications are required when traffic uses non-standard ports that the predefined application does not recognize. A common trap is to simply change the service to TCP/8080, which would bypass App-ID and weaken security. Memory tip: “App-ID first, service second—if the app doesn’t match, the port won’t save you.”
PCNSA Securing Traffic Practice Question
This PCNSA practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 company recently deployed a Palo Alto Networks PA-220 firewall to secure outbound web access. The security policies include a rule named 'Allow-Web' with the following configuration: source zone 'Inside', destination zone 'Outside', application 'web-browsing', service 'application-default', action 'allow'. All other traffic is denied by a default deny rule. Users report that they can access most public websites, but they cannot access a partner's website hosted at 203.0.113.50 on TCP port 8080. Connections to this site time out. DNS resolution for the hostname works correctly. The firewall logs show that traffic from internal users to 203.0.113.50:8080 is not matching any rule and is being denied by the default deny rule. Which action should the administrator take to resolve the issue while adhering to security best practices?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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 a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 for the partner's website and add it to the 'Allow-Web' rule alongside 'web-browsing'.
Option C is correct because the traffic to 203.0.113.50 on TCP port 8080 is not matching the 'web-browsing' application, which by default only recognizes HTTP (TCP 80) and HTTPS (TCP 443). Creating a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 and adding it to the 'Allow-Web' rule allows the firewall to identify and permit this traffic while still enforcing application-based control, adhering to the security best practice of least privilege.
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.
- ✗
Add a new rule before 'Allow-Web' that permits traffic to 203.0.113.50 on any port and any application.
Why it's wrong here
This bypasses App-ID and permits all traffic to that IP, which is too permissive and could allow malicious traffic.
- ✗
Change the service in the 'Allow-Web' rule to 'any' to allow web-browsing on any port.
Why it's wrong here
This would allow web-browsing traffic on any port, which is less secure and may expose the network to risks on non-standard ports.
- ✓
Create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 for the partner's website and add it to the 'Allow-Web' rule alongside 'web-browsing'.
Why this is correct
This allows App-ID to recognize the traffic on the non-standard port while maintaining granular control.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Modify the rule to use application 'any' to allow all applications.
Why it's wrong here
This would permit all applications, severely weakening the security posture.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume 'web-browsing' will match any HTTP-like traffic regardless of port, but Palo Alto Networks App-ID requires explicit application definition for non-standard ports, and simply changing the service or application to 'any' undermines the security model.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Palo Alto Networks firewalls use App-ID to identify traffic based on application signatures, not just port numbers. The 'web-browsing' application is a predefined signature that matches HTTP and HTTPS traffic on standard ports (TCP 80 and 443). For non-standard ports like TCP 8080, the firewall cannot identify the traffic as 'web-browsing' unless a custom application is created to explicitly map that port to the application. This behavior is critical in environments where applications run on non-standard ports to avoid detection or for legacy compatibility.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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Securing Traffic — study guide chapter
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Securing Traffic practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSA question test?
Securing Traffic — This question tests Securing Traffic — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 for the partner's website and add it to the 'Allow-Web' rule alongside 'web-browsing'. — Option C is correct because the traffic to 203.0.113.50 on TCP port 8080 is not matching the 'web-browsing' application, which by default only recognizes HTTP (TCP 80) and HTTPS (TCP 443). Creating a custom application that matches TCP port 8080 and adding it to the 'Allow-Web' rule allows the firewall to identify and permit this traffic while still enforcing application-based control, adhering to the security best practice of least privilege.
What should I do if I get this PCNSA 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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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