What does a Web Application Firewall primarily protect against?

• A. Malware intrusions only
• B. Unauthorized access and vulnerabilities in web applications
• C. Insider threats
• D. Malware in physical devices

Answer: (B)

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) is specifically designed to protect against unauthorized access and vulnerabilities in web applications. It acts as a filter between the web application and the internet, monitoring and controlling incoming traffic based on predefined security rules. By focusing on application layer security, a WAF can protect against common threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web-based attacks that exploit vulnerabilities within web applications.

The nature of web applications, being accessible over the internet, makes them particularly susceptible to various forms of attacks aimed at compromising sensitive data or taking control of the application. A WAF helps to mitigate these risks by inspecting HTTP and HTTPS requests and responses, blocking malicious traffic, and allowing legitimate traffic to pass through.

In contrast, other options do not directly address the main function of a WAF. For instance, while malware intrusions are a concern, a WAF specializes in web application threats rather than general malware. Insider threats and malware in physical devices also fall outside the scope of a WAF’s primary protective measures, focusing instead on internal security protocols and endpoint protection respectively.