- A
Create an application override to force identification of the application on all ports.
Why wrong: This helps identification but does not block the traffic on its own.
- B
Create a security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny.
Correct: Denying by application blocks the traffic regardless of port.
- C
Use decryption to inspect the application content.
Why wrong: Decryption aids inspection but does not block traffic by itself.
- D
Create a custom application with multiple default ports.
Correct: Defining multiple default ports helps the firewall identify the application on those ports, which can then be denied.
- E
Create a security rule with the destination port range that covers all possible ports.
Why wrong: This is impractical for dynamic ports and does not leverage App-ID.
Blocking Applications That Use Dynamic Ports
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing traffic and app-id. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security administrator needs to block an application that uses multiple ports, including dynamic ports. Which of the following methods can be used to block this application using App-ID? (Choose two.)
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 security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny.
Option B is correct because App-ID identifies applications regardless of port, so a security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny will block that application even when it uses dynamic ports. This leverages App-ID's ability to classify traffic based on application signatures, not just port numbers.
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 to force identification of the application on all ports.
Why it's wrong here
This helps identification but does not block the traffic on its own.
- ✓
Create a security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny.
Why this is correct
Correct: Denying by application blocks the traffic regardless of port.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use decryption to inspect the application content.
Why it's wrong here
Decryption aids inspection but does not block traffic by itself.
- ✓
Create a custom application with multiple default ports.
Why this is correct
Correct: Defining multiple default ports helps the firewall identify the application on those ports, which can then be denied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a security rule with the destination port range that covers all possible ports.
Why it's wrong here
This is impractical for dynamic ports and does not leverage App-ID.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume port-based blocking (Option E) is sufficient for applications using dynamic ports, but App-ID's port-agnostic identification is the correct approach, and they may also confuse application override (Option A) as a blocking mechanism rather than a classification tool.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
App-ID uses multiple mechanisms—signature-based detection, protocol decoding, and behavioral analysis—to identify applications independent of port. When an application uses dynamic ports (e.g., SIP with RTP streams), App-ID can still classify the traffic by inspecting the control channel or payload patterns. In a real-world scenario, blocking a peer-to-peer application like BitTorrent requires App-ID rules because it uses random high ports, making port-based blocking impractical.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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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 a security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny. — Option B is correct because App-ID identifies applications regardless of port, so a security rule with the application set to the malicious application and action Deny will block that application even when it uses dynamic ports. This leverages App-ID's ability to classify traffic based on application signatures, not just port numbers.
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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