Checkpoint 156-215.81.20 Certified Security Administrator — R81.20 (CCSA) Exam Dumps and Practice Test Questions Set 5 Q61-75
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Question 61
Which Check Point blade protects against malicious traffic by detecting and blocking denial-of-service (DoS) and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks?
A) DDoS Protection
B) IPS
C) Application Control
D) Threat Extraction
Answer: A) DDoS Protection
Explanation:
The first choice refers to the blade that specifically targets denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks. These attacks attempt to overwhelm systems, networks, or applications with excessive traffic, rendering them unavailable to legitimate users. The DDoS Protection blade monitors traffic patterns, detects anomalies, and blocks malicious flows before they can cause disruption. It leverages rate-limiting, anomaly detection, and behavioral analysis to distinguish between legitimate traffic surges and malicious floods. This blade is critical for organizations that rely on continuous availability, as DDoS attacks can cause significant downtime and financial loss.
The second choice is a blade that inspects traffic for exploit attempts and protocol anomalies. While IPS can block exploit attempts, it does not specifically target volumetric or flood-based attacks. Its role is vulnerability shielding rather than denial-of-service prevention.
The third choice is a blade that governs application usage. It identifies applications regardless of port or protocol and allows administrators to permit or block them based on policy. While it controls application behavior, it does not detect or block denial-of-service attacks. Its focus is on acceptable use policies rather than availability protection.
The fourth choice is a blade that sanitizes documents by removing active content such as macros or scripts. While it prevents infection from malicious files, it does not detect or block denial-of-service attacks. Its role is content sanitization rather than availability protection.
Protecting against denial-of-service attacks requires a blade that can detect and block malicious traffic floods. That role is fulfilled by the DDoS Protection blade. Intrusion prevention, application governance, and content sanitization are important complementary functions, but they do not provide denial-of-service protection. Therefore, the DDoS Protection blade is the correct answer because it provides protection against malicious traffic by detecting and blocking denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks.
Question 62
Which Check Point utility is used to view the current active connections on a gateway?
A) fw tab -t connections -s
B) cpstop
C) cpconfig
D) cphaprob stat
Answer: A) fw tab -t connections -s
Explanation:
The first choice is a command that displays the current active connections on a gateway. It queries the firewall tables and provides information about established sessions, including source and destination IPs, ports, and protocols. Administrators use it to troubleshoot connectivity issues, monitor traffic, and verify that policies are being enforced correctly. This command is critical for understanding the state of the firewall and diagnosing problems such as dropped connections or unexpected traffic. By providing visibility into active sessions, it helps administrators ensure that the gateway is functioning as intended.
The second choice is a command that stops all Check Point processes on a gateway. It halts the firewall engine, management daemons, and related services. While it disables enforcement, it does not display active connections. Its role is process control rather than connection monitoring.
The third choice is a configuration utility used to set up basic parameters such as Secure Internal Communication. It is interactive, allowing administrators to configure trust and other system settings. While important for initial setup, it does not display active connections. Its role is configuration rather than connection monitoring.
The fourth choice is a diagnostic command that displays the current state of clustering. It shows whether members are active or standby, whether synchronization is working, and whether interfaces are healthy. While it provides cluster information, it does not display active connections. Its role is cluster monitoring rather than connection monitoring.
Monitoring active connections requires a command that can query firewall tables and display session information. That role is fulfilled by the fw tab command. Process control, configuration utilities, and cluster monitoring commands serve other purposes but do not display active connections. Therefore, fw tab -t connections -s is the correct answer because it is used to view the current active connections on a gateway.
Question 63
Which Check Point blade protects malicious file downloads by integrating with cloud-based intelligence to block known threats?
A) Antivirus with ThreatCloud integration
B) IPS
C) Application Control
D) Anti-Spam and Email Security
Answer: A) Antivirus with ThreatCloud integration
Explanation:
The first choice refers to the antivirus blade that integrates with Check Point’s ThreatCloud intelligence network. ThreatCloud provides real-time updates on known malware, malicious domains, and indicators of compromise. By integrating with ThreatCloud, the antivirus blade can block malicious file downloads before they reach users. It scans traffic and files in real time, leveraging both signature-based detection and cloud intelligence. This integration ensures that protections remain current against emerging threats, providing a dynamic defense against malware. It is critical for organizations that rely on internet connectivity, as malicious downloads are a common vector for infection.
The second choice is a blade that inspects traffic for exploit attempts and protocol anomalies. While IPS prevents exploitation, it does not specifically block malicious file downloads using cloud intelligence. Its role is vulnerability shielding rather than malware detection.
The third choice is a blade that governs application usage. It identifies applications and allows administrators to permit or block them based on policy. While it controls application behavior, it does not block malicious file downloads using cloud intelligence. Its focus is on acceptable use policies rather than malware detection.
The fourth choice is a blade that protects email traffic. It detects and blocks spam, malicious attachments, and phishing attempts. While it protects against email-based threats, it does not block malicious file downloads using cloud intelligence. Its role is email security rather than malware detection.
Blocking malicious file downloads requires a blade that can scan traffic in real time and leverage cloud intelligence. That role is fulfilled by the antivirus blade with ThreatCloud integration. Intrusion prevention, application governance, and email security are important complementary functions, but they do not provide cloud-based malware detection. Therefore, the antivirus blade with ThreatCloud integration is the correct answer because it protects against malicious file downloads by integrating with cloud-based intelligence to block known threats.
Question 64
Which Check Point blade protects against malicious traffic by detecting and blocking botnet communications?
A) Anti-Bot
B) IPS
C) Threat Extraction
D) Application Control
Answer: A) Anti-Bot
Explanation:
The first choice refers to the blade that specifically targets botnet activity and command-and-control communications. Botnets are networks of compromised devices controlled remotely by attackers. They are often used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, send spam, or steal data. The Anti-Bot blade monitors traffic patterns, detects anomalies, and blocks malicious flows before they can cause disruption. It leverages threat intelligence feeds and behavioral analysis to distinguish between legitimate traffic and malicious botnet communications. This blade is critical for organizations that rely on continuous availability, as botnet activity can cause significant downtime and financial loss.
The second choice is a blade that inspects traffic for exploit attempts and protocol anomalies. While IPS can block exploit attempts, it does not specifically target botnet communications. Its role is vulnerability shielding rather than command-and-control prevention.
The third choice is a blade that sanitizes documents by removing active content such as macros or scripts. While it prevents infection from malicious files, it does not detect or block botnet communications. Its role is content sanitization rather than command-and-control prevention.
The fourth choice is a blade that governs application usage. It identifies applications regardless of port or protocol and allows administrators to permit or block them based on policy. While it controls application behavior, it does not detect or block botnet communications. Its focus is on acceptable use policies rather than command-and-control prevention.
Stopping botnet communications requires a blade that can detect and block connections to malicious hosts. That role is fulfilled by the Anti-Bot blade. Intrusion prevention, content sanitization, and application governance are important complementary functions, but they do not specifically prevent command-and-control traffic. Therefore, the Anti-Bot blade is the correct answer because it protects against malicious traffic by detecting and blocking botnet communications.
Question 65
Which Check Point utility is used to verify Secure Internal Communication (SIC) trust status between a gateway and the management server?
A) cpstat -sic
B) cpstop
C) fw stat
D) cphaprob stat
Answer: A) cpstat -sic
Explanation:
The first choice is a command that verifies the status of Secure Internal Communication between a gateway and the management server. It displays information about the trust relationship, including whether it is established and functioning correctly. Administrators use it to troubleshoot connectivity issues and ensure that gateways can communicate securely with the management server. This command is critical for maintaining trust, as SIC is the foundation of secure communication in the Check Point architecture. Without SIC, gateways cannot receive policies or send logs.
The second choice is a command that stops all Check Point processes on a gateway. It halts the firewall engine, management daemons, and related services. While it disables enforcement, it does not verify SIC trust. Its role is process control rather than trust verification.
The third choice is a command that displays the current installed policy name on a gateway. It shows which policy is active and provides information about the policy installation. While useful for verifying policies, it does not verify SIC trust. Its role is policy verification rather than trust verification.
The fourth choice is a diagnostic command that displays the current state of clustering. It shows whether members are active or standby, whether synchronization is working, and whether interfaces are healthy. While essential for monitoring, it does not verify SIC trust. Its role is cluster monitoring rather than trust verification.
Verifying SIC trust requires a command that can display the status of secure communication between gateways and the management server. That role is fulfilled by the cpstat -sic command. Process control, policy verification, and cluster monitoring commands serve other purposes but do not verify trust. Therefore, cpstat-sic is the correct answer because it is used to verify Secure Internal Communication trust status between a gateway and the management server.
Question 66
Which Check Point blade protects malicious websites by categorizing URLs and enforcing access policies?
A) URL Filtering
B) IPS
C) Threat Emulation
D) Anti-Spam and Email Security
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
The first choice refers to the URL Filtering blade, which is an essential security component designed to control access to websites based on categorization. This blade works by organizing websites into different groups, including categories such as social media, gambling, adult content, streaming platforms, and malicious domains. By assigning websites to these categories, administrators gain the ability to enforce precise access policies that control which websites can be visited by users or groups within the organization. The categorization is not static; it relies on continuously updated databases of website reputations that help identify new threats and emerging malicious sites. This ensures that users are protected from accessing harmful content even as threats evolve. For instance, if a user attempts to access a website known to host phishing content or malware, the URL Filtering blade can immediately block the connection, preventing the user from being exposed to potential security risks. By operating at the URL level, the blade provides a proactive layer of defense, complementing other security measures and reducing the likelihood of successful attacks delivered through web traffic.
A key feature of the URL Filtering blade is its integration with identity awareness capabilities. This allows policies to be applied not only based on network location or IP address but also based on specific users or groups. For example, administrators can enforce stricter access restrictions for certain departments, such as finance or human resources, while allowing broader access for IT or development teams that may require interaction with more varied online resources. This level of granularity ensures that security policies are aligned with organizational roles and responsibilities while maintaining productivity. Additionally, URL Filtering provides detailed reporting and logging, enabling administrators to monitor browsing trends, identify potential misuse, and adjust policies based on observed behavior. By having visibility into user activity, organizations can refine their rules to maximize security while minimizing unnecessary restrictions.
The second choice refers to the Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) blade, which inspects network traffic for exploit attempts and protocol anomalies. IPS is designed to detect and block attacks targeting vulnerabilities in operating systems, applications, and network protocols. While it is highly effective at preventing exploitation attempts such as buffer overflows, SQL injection attacks, or cross-site scripting, it does not provide URL categorization or enforce web access policies. Its primary focus is on identifying malicious traffic patterns that indicate attempts to exploit vulnerabilities, rather than controlling user access to specific websites. Therefore, IPS contributes to overall security but does not fulfill the role of a URL categorization and access enforcement tool.
The third choice refers to Threat Emulation, a blade that analyzes files in a sandbox environment to detect unknown malware. Threat Emulation executes potentially suspicious files in a controlled virtual environment to observe their behavior, identifying malicious actions such as unauthorized file modifications or attempts to connect to external command-and-control servers. While this function is critical for preventing infections from advanced or zero-day malware, it does not provide the ability to categorize websites or manage web access. Threat Emulation’s focus is file analysis and threat detection rather than web traffic management, making it complementary to URL Filtering but not a substitute for it.
The fourth choice involves a blade that provides email security, including Anti-Spam and protection against malicious attachments. This blade scans incoming email messages, detects phishing attempts, and blocks malware delivered through email. While email security is crucial for protecting organizations from threats delivered via email, it does not categorize URLs or enforce web access policies. Its scope is limited to email traffic and does not extend to controlling access to websites, which is the core function of the URL Filtering blade.
Protecting against malicious websites requires a solution capable of categorizing URLs and enforcing access policies based on those categories. The URL Filtering blade fulfills this role by using continuously updated site reputation databases, integrating with identity awareness, and providing detailed reporting. IPS, Threat Emulation, and email security are essential components of a comprehensive security strategy, but they do not offer URL-level categorization or control. By categorizing websites and applying user- or group-specific access policies, the URL Filtering blade ensures that users are prevented from visiting malicious or inappropriate sites, while still allowing access to legitimate resources required for productivity. Its ability to combine content categorization, reputation analysis, identity-aware enforcement, and reporting makes it the correct choice for protecting organizations against web-based threats.
Question 67
Which Check Point blade protects against advanced malware by combining sandbox analysis with real-time threat intelligence?
A) Threat Emulation
B) IPS
C) Anti-Bot
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) Threat Emulation
Explanation:
Threat Emulation is a specialized blade that focuses on detecting advanced malware, including zero-day threats, by executing suspicious files in a virtual sandbox environment. When a file enters the network—whether through email, web downloads, or other channels—the Threat Emulation blade intercepts it and runs it in a controlled environment. This allows administrators to observe the file’s behavior without risking infection of the actual system. If the file exhibits malicious activity, such as attempting to modify system files, establish command-and-control connections, or encrypt data, the blade blocks the file before it reaches the user.
This approach is particularly effective against zero-day attacks, which exploit vulnerabilities that have not yet been patched or publicly disclosed. Traditional antivirus solutions rely heavily on signatures, which cannot detect unknown threats. Threat Emulation, however, focuses on behavior, making it capable of identifying novel attack techniques.
The IPS blade, while powerful, focuses on blocking exploit attempts and protocol anomalies. It does not emulate file execution. Anti-Bot is designed to detect and block botnet communications,, but does not analyze files. URL Filtering categorizes websites and enforces access policies,, es but does not emulate files.
Therefore, Threat Emulation is the correct answer because it combines sandbox analysis with real-time intelligence to protect against advanced malware.
Question 68
Which Check Point utility is used to reset and reinitialize Secure Internal Communication (SIC) when trust between the gateway and management server is broken?
A) cpconfig
B) cpstop
C) fw ver
D) cphaprob stat
Answer: A) cpconfig
Explanation:
The cpconfig utility is an interactive tool used to configure and reset Secure Internal Communication (SIC). SIC is the foundation of secure communication between Check Point gateways and the management server. It uses certificates and trust relationships to ensure that policies can be securely pushed to gateways and logs can be sent back to the management server.
When trust is broken—due to certificate expiration, hostname changes, or reinstallation—administrators must reset SIC. The cpconfig utility allows them to enter a new SIC password, which reestablishes trust and generates new certificates. Without SIC, gateways cannot receive updated policies or send logs, effectively breaking centralized management.
The cpstop command halts all Check Point processes but does not reset SIC. The fw ver command displays the installed software version but does not reset SIC. The cphaprob stat command shows cluster status but does not reset SIC.
Therefore, cpconfig is the correct answer because it is used to reset and reinitialize Secure Internal Communication when trust between the gateway and management server is broken.
Question 69
Which Check Point blade protects malicious email attachments and phishing attempts by scanning and filtering inbound messages?
A) Anti-Spam and Email Security
B) IPS
C) Threat Extraction
D) Application Control
Answer: A) Anti-Spam and Email Security
Explanation:
The Anti-Spam and Email Security blade is a critical component within Check Point’s security framework, designed to protect organizations from threats delivered via email. Email remains one of the most frequently exploited vectors for cyberattacks due to its ubiquity and its ability to deliver malicious content directly to end users. Attackers commonly use phishing, malicious attachments, and spam as tools to compromise systems, steal credentials, or distribute malware. The Anti-Spam and Email Security blade addresses these risks by scanning all inbound email traffic for indicators of malicious activity, using a combination of signature-based detection, heuristic analysis, and content inspection. It examines email headers to identify unusual or suspicious routing, analyzes the body of messages for patterns typical of phishing or social engineering attacks, and inspects attachments for malicious code. By doing so, it acts as a first line of defense against email-borne threats before they reach end users, significantly reducing the risk of infections, unauthorized access, or data breaches.
One of the key capabilities of the Anti-Spam and Email Security blade is its integration with global threat intelligence feeds. These feeds provide real-time information about known phishing domains, spam sources, and malware payloads. By leveraging this intelligence, the blade can quickly identify emails originating from malicious actors and block them before delivery. This reduces the chances that employees inadvertently open harmful attachments or click on fraudulent links. Additionally, the blade maintains a database of historical spam and phishing patterns, which allows it to detect new or evolving threats that may not yet be widely recognized. For example, if a new phishing campaign emerges targeting multiple organizations, the blade can identify and block these messages based on patterns, sender reputation, or suspicious links. This continuous adaptation ensures that the protection remains effective against both traditional and sophisticated email threats, which evolve rapidly to bypass standard defenses.
Another significant feature of the Anti-Spam and Email Security blade is its ability to integrate with other Check Point security blades, providing layered protection. Suspicious attachments can be analyzed using Threat Emulation, which executes files in a controlled sandbox to observe behavior indicative of malware, such as unauthorized system changes or communication with command-and-control servers. If a file is identified as potentially harmful, it can be blocked or quarantined before reaching the user. Additionally, Threat Extraction can sanitize email attachments by removing potentially malicious active content, such as macros or embedded scripts, delivering a safe version to the recipient. By combining these layers of protection, the Anti-Spam and Email Security blade ensures that email remains a safe communication channel without disrupting business workflows. This layered approach significantly enhances resilience against zero-day threats, advanced phishing campaigns, and other complex attack strategies that rely on email as a delivery method.
In contrast, the IPS blade focuses on detecting and preventing exploitation attempts targeting vulnerabilities in applications, operating systems, or network protocols. While IPS is essential for blocking attacks such as buffer overflows, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting attempts, it does not analyze the content of email messages or attachments. IPS cannot determine whether a specific email contains a malicious attachment or phishing link, and therefore,, it cannot replace the specialized functions provided by the Anti-Spam and Email Security blade.
Threat Extraction, as another comparison, focuses on sanitizing files and documents by removing active content like macros or scripts that could be used to execute malicious actions. While Threat Extraction contributes to overall email security by reducing the risk of malicious content execution, it does not filter or scan the messages themselves for phishing attempts, spam, or malicious sender reputations. Similarly, Application Control is designed to manage which applications can be used within the network, enforcing policies for application access and behavior. Although this helps prevent unauthorized software from being used, it does not inspect email content or block malicious messages.
The Anti-Spam and Email Security blade, therefore uniquely addresses the risks associated with email communications by providing dedicated analysis and filtering of inbound messages. It protects against phishing attempts, spam campaigns, and malicious attachments, while also integrating with other Check Point blades for enhanced layered defense. Its continuous updates, content inspection, and threat intelligence integration allow organizations to maintain a secure email environment, ensuring that users are not exposed to one of the most common vectors for cyberattacks. By blocking potentially harmful emails before they reach employees, the blade mitigates the risk of credential theft, malware infection, and social engineering attacks. It is the correct choice because it specifically focuses on protecting organizations from email-borne threats, an area that other security blades do not directly cover.
Question 70
Which Check Point blade protects against malicious traffic by analyzing and blocking suspicious patterns that indicate intrusion attempts?
A) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
B) Application Control
C) Anti-Spam and Email Security
D) Threat Extraction
Answer: A) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
Explanation:
The Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) blade is one of the most critical components in Check Point’s security architecture. It inspects traffic in real time, looking for exploit attempts, protocol anomalies, and suspicious patterns that indicate intrusion attempts. IPS uses a combination of signature-based detection, protocol validation, and behavioral analysis to block attacks before they reach systems. For example, if an attacker attempts to exploit a buffer overflow vulnerability in a web server, an IPS can detect the malicious payload and block it immediately.
IPS is particularly effective against known vulnerabilities, as it maintains a constantly updated database of protections. It also provides virtual patching, shielding systems from exploitation even before official patches are applied. This is crucial in environments where patching may be delayed due to operational constraints.
Application Control governs application usage but does not analyze traffic for intrusion attempts. Anti-Spam and Email Security protects email traffic but does not block intrusions. Threat Extraction sanitizes documents but does not analyze traffic patterns.
Therefore, IPS is the correct answer because it protects malicious traffic by analyzing and blocking suspicious patterns that indicate intrusion attempts.
Question 71
Which Check Point utility is used to display the current active policy name and installation details on a gateway?
A) fw stat
B) cpstop
C) cpconfig
D) cphaprob stat
Answer: A) fw stat
Explanation:
The fw stat command is used to display the current active policy name and installation details on a gateway. It shows which policy is installed, when it was applied, and provides confirmation that the gateway is enforcing the intended rules. Administrators use this command to verify that policy changes have been successfully deployed and to troubleshoot issues related to policy enforcement.
For example, if an administrator pushes a new policy from the management server but suspects that the gateway did not receive it, running fw stat will confirm the active policy name and installation time. This visibility is critical for ensuring that gateways are aligned with organizational security requirements.
The cpstop command halts all Check Point processes but does not display policy information. The cpconfig utility configures system parameters such as Secure Internal Communication, but does not display policy information. The cphaprob stat command shows cluster status but does not display policy information.
Therefore, fw stat is the correct answer because it is used to display the current active policy name and installation details on a gateway.
Question 72
Which Check Point blade protects malicious websites by enforcing access policies based on URL categories and reputation?
A) URL Filtering
B) IPS
C) Threat Emulation
D) Anti-Bot
Answer: A) URL Filtering
Explanation:
The URL Filtering blade is an essential component within Check Point’s security architecture, designed to manage and control web traffic based on the categorization of websites. Its primary function is to categorize websites into different groups, such as social media, gambling, adult content, streaming services, and malicious or phishing domains. By organizing websites into these categories, administrators gain granular control over which websites users are permitted to access and under what circumstances. This categorization relies on continuously updated databases of website reputations, which help ensure that new threats and malicious domains are promptly identified and blocked. This approach allows organizations to enforce access policies effectively, ensuring that users only access safe and business-appropriate sites while preventing exposure to harmful content. The URL Filtering blade is particularly valuable in mitigating risks associated with phishing attacks, malware downloads, and access to non-compliant websites. For example, if an employee attempts to visit a website flagged for phishing or hosting malware, the URL Filtering blade will intercept and block the connection, preventing potential credential theft or compromise of sensitive systems. This proactive control enhances the overall security posture by addressing threats that might bypass other security layers, such as firewalls or antivirus protections.
In addition to general URL categorization, the URL Filtering blade integrates with identity awareness features. This integration allows administrators to enforce policies that are specific to individual users, groups, or departments, rather than applying a single policy uniformly across the organization. By linking access rules to user identity, organizations can enforce stricter controls for high-risk users or departments, while allowing more flexible access for roles that require broader internet use. This granularity in policy enforcement is essential for balancing security requirements with business needs. Organizations can maintain productivity by allowing access to approved resources while minimizing the risk of exposure to harmful or non-compliant websites. Furthermore, URL Filtering supports reporting and logging, enabling administrators to review web access patterns, identify potential misuse, and adjust policies proactively. These features make it a critical tool for maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and security best practices.
The second choice, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), is designed to inspect network traffic for exploit attempts, protocol anomalies, and other forms of attacks targeting vulnerabilities in applications, systems, or network protocols. While IPS is highly effective at blocking attacks such as buffer overflows, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting attempts, it does not categorize URLs or enforce policies based on website reputation. IPS operates at the network and application level to detect malicious patterns in traffic, but it cannot make decisions about allowing or blocking user access to websites based on content category. Consequently, while IPS is an essential security layer, it does not fulfill the specific function of controlling access to websites or mitigating risks associated with visiting malicious domains.
The third choice, Threat Emulation, focuses on advanced threat prevention by analyzing files and attachments in a sandboxed environment. This blade executes unknown or suspicious files in a controlled virtual environment to detect malicious behavior, such as unauthorized system changes, communication with command-and-control servers, or malware installation attempts. Although Threat Emulation is critical for detecting and blocking zero-day malware and sophisticated threats, it does not categorize websites or enforce access policies at the URL level. Its focus is on file behavior analysis rather than web traffic control, making it complementary to URL Filtering but not a replacement for it.
The fourth choice, Anti-Bot, is a blade designed to detect and prevent botnet communications and command-and-control activity originating from compromised devices. It identifies endpoints attempting to communicate with malicious servers and blocks such connections to prevent data exfiltration or malware propagation. While Anti-Bot provides a crucial layer of protection against malware infections that leverage botnet infrastructure, it does not categorize URLs or enforce access policies for web browsing. Its focus is on outbound communication from infected hosts rather than controlling inbound access to web resources.
The URL Filtering blade is the only solution among these choices that specifically provides the ability to categorize websites and enforce access policies based on reputation and category. By intercepting web requests, applying category-based rules, and integrating with identity-aware policies, it ensures that users can only access safe and authorized websites. It protects against phishing, malware-laden domains, and non-compliant web content, while also supporting productivity and regulatory compliance. Other security blades, such as IPS, Threat Emulation, and Anti-Bot, provide important protections at different layers of the network and endpoint security framework, but they do not offer the URL-level categorization and access enforcement that are central to web security management. URL Filtering is therefore the correct choice because it addresses the specific need to control access to malicious or inappropriate websites by categorizing URLs and enforcing policies based on those classifications.
Question 73
Which Check Point bladprotectsst malicious traffic by blocking suspicious outbound communications to known malicious IP addresses and domains?
A) Anti-Bot
B) IPS
C) Threat Emulation
D) URL Filtering
Answer: A) Anti-Bot
Explanation:
The Anti-Bot blade is designed to detect and block suspicious outbound communications that indicate a compromised host is attempting to connect to a command-and-control (C&C) server. Botnets are networks of infected devices controlled remotely by attackers, often used for launching DDoS attacks, sending spam, or stealing sensitive data. Once a device is infected, it typically attempts to communicate with a C&C server to receive instructions or exfiltrate data.
Anti-Bot leverages Check Point’s ThreatCloud intelligence to identify known malicious IP addresses, domains, and behavioral patterns. It monitors traffic in real time, detecting anomalies that suggest botnet activity. When suspicious communication is detected, Anti-Bot blocks the traffic and alerts administrators, preventing further compromise.
IPS focuses on blocking exploit attempts but does not specifically monitor outbound communications. Threat Emulation analyzes files in a sandbox but does not block suspicious outbound traffic. URL Filtering categorizes websites but does not specifically detect botnet communications.
Therefore, Anti-Bot is the correct answer because it protects malicious traffic by blocking suspicious outbound communications to known malicious IP addresses and domains.
Question 74
Which Check Point utility is used to collect diagnostic information about a gateway or management server for troubleshooting purposes?
A) cpinfo
B) cpstop
C) fw stat
D) cphaprob stat
Answer: A) cpinfo
Explanation:
The cpinfo utility is used to collect diagnostic information about a gateway or management server. It gathers configuration files, logs, and system information into a single package that can be sent to technical support for analysis. This utility is critical for troubleshooting complex issues, as it provides a comprehensive snapshot of the system’s state.
Administrators often run cpinfo when experiencing connectivity problems, performance issues, or unexpected behavior. By packaging all relevant data, cpinfo simplifies communication with support teams and accelerates problem resolution. It can also be used proactively to collect data before making changes, ensuring that administrators have a baseline for comparison.
The cpstop command halts all Check Point processes but does not collect diagnostic information. The fw stat command displays the current installed policy but does not collect diagnostic information. The cphaprob stat command shows cluster status but does not collect diagnostic information.
Therefore, cpinfo is the correct answer because it is used to collect diagnostic information about a gateway or management server for troubleshooting purposes.
Question 75
Which Check Point blade protects malicious file downloads by scanning traffic in real time and blocking known malware?
A) Antivirus
B) IPS
C) Threat Extraction
D) Application Control
Answer: A) Antivirus
Explanation:
The Antivirus blade plays a central role in detecting and blocking harmful files by scanning traffic and file transfers in real time. This capability is essential in modern network security, where threats often spread through email attachments, downloads from websites, shared network drives, and removable media. The Antivirus blade uses multiple detection techniques, such as signature-based analysis, heuristic evaluations, and behavioral monitoring. Signature-based detection compares files against a large database of known malware identifiers. Heuristics help identify threats that may not match an exact signature by analyzing file structure and characteristics commonly associated with malicious behavior. Behavioral detection adds another layer by examining what a file attempts to do once executed or accessed. For instance, if a file tries to modify system files, alter registry entries, or initiate unauthorized communications, it may be blocked even without an existing signature. These multiple detection layers significantly strengthen the defense against a wide variety of viruses, worms, trojans, and other malware types.
Another crucial aspect of the Antivirus blade is its integration with Check Point’s ThreatCloud intelligence network. ThreatCloud is a cloud-based threat database that aggregates global intelligence on new and emerging threats. As malware evolves rapidly, with thousands of new variants appearing daily, having continuous updates ensures that the Antivirus blade remains effective. When ThreatCloud identifies a new strain of malware somewhere on the globe, updated signatures and indicators of compromise are pushed to Check Point gateways. This allows organizations to remain protected even against threats that were discovered only moments earlier. For example, if an employee downloads a file from an unfamiliar website, the Antivirus blade will immediately scan the file. If ThreatCloud recently flagged that file hash or its behavioral pattern as malicious, the gateway will block access and prevent the file from reaching the user’s workstation. This real-time intelligence sharing helps organizations stop fast-spreading attacks, reduce infection risks, and maintain a strong security posture.
In contrast, the second choice involves a function that focuses on blocking exploit attempts, protocol violations, and vulnerability-based attacks. This is the domain of intrusion prevention systems. While such systems are critical for preventing attackers from exploiting weaknesses in applications, operating systems, or network services, they do not specialize in scanning files for malware. IPS is effective for detecting buffer overflow attempts, SQL injection, cross-site scripting, protocol deviations, and other forms of exploitation, but it does not perform detailed file inspection to detect viruses or trojans. It focuses on attack vectors rather than file-based threats. Because of this, IPS does not replace the need for Antivirus scanning and cannot independently block malicious files that users download from the internet or receive via email.
The third choice refers to a capability that sanitizes documents by removing active content such as macros, embedded scripts, and other elements that could carry hidden threats. This function, known as Threat Extraction or content sanitization, is valuable for preventing attacks that rely on malicious document components. For example, a malicious PDF may contain a hidden script or a Microsoft Word document may contain a macro designed to download malware. Threat Extraction removes such components to deliver a safe, sanitized version of the document. However, it does not perform malware signature scanning. It targets potentially harmful content structures but not the malware itself. Because of this difference in purpose, Threat Extraction complements but does not replace Antivirus scanning.
The fourth choice concerns a blade that regulates which applications users can run and what actions they are allowed to perform. Application Control identifies applications based on their characteristics and enforces policies to allow, block, or monitor their use. For example, administrators can use it to block unauthorized peer-to-peer file-sharing applications or restrict access to certain web applications. While this improves control, reduces shadow IT risks, and enhances policy enforcement, Application Control does not scan files for malicious content. It is focused on regulating user behavior and application usage, not on identifying viruses within files.
Considering the roles of the various blades, the Antivirus blade remains the only one designed specifically to detect and block malicious file downloads through real-time scanning. It analyzes files, identifies known malware, detects suspicious patterns, and prevents harmful content from entering the network. IPS protects against exploit attacks, Threat Extraction sanitizes documents but does not recognize malware signatures, and Application Control governs which applications can be used but does not scan files for threats. Because malware most frequently spreads through files rather than exploits or unauthorized applications alone, the Antivirus blade is fundamental for ensuring protection against harmful downloads. It provides the necessary inspection, intelligence integration, and blocking mechanisms required to stop viruses, worms, and trojans before they reach user systems.