Free Paloalto Networks PSE-Strata Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 3

File Blocking Profiles can help prevent drive-by downloads by blocking certain types of file downloads that are commonly associated with malware. This allows web-browsing traffic to continue but prevents potentially harmful files from being downloaded automatically, thus protecting against malicious software that could be installed without user consent.

References:

Palo Alto Networks' documentation on File Blocking Profiles

OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) guidelines on preventing drive-by downloads

In the Five-Step Methodology of Zero Trust, application access and user access are defined in Step 3: Architect a Zero Trust Network. This step involves designing the network architecture to enforce Zero Trust principles, which include defining and segmenting the network, specifying access controls, and ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users and devices can access the necessary applications and data. This step is critical for establishing a secure and resilient network that adheres to the Zero Trust model.

GlobalProtect is the Palo Alto Networks security component designed to extend next-generation firewall (NGFW) policies to remote users. It provides comprehensive security by ensuring that all network traffic from remote devices is inspected and secured, just as if the users were on the corporate network. This helps maintain consistent security policies and protections regardless of user location.

Having WildFire machine learning (ML) capability inline on the firewall provides significant advantages in real-time threat prevention.

Inline ML Capability:

The firewall can analyze and block unknown malicious files in real-time, preventing the first instance of infection (patient zero).

This enhances security without disrupting business productivity, as threats are mitigated immediately.

During a security event, the Traps agent (part of Cortex XDR) performs several actions beyond just preventing the activity:

Collects forensic information about the event: The Traps agent gathers detailed information regarding the event, which helps in understanding the nature and source of the threat.

Communicates the status of the endpoint to the ESM (Endpoint Security Manager): This communication ensures that the ESM is aware of the current state of the endpoint, helping in centralized management and response.

Notifies the user about the event: The agent informs the user about the occurrence of a security event, which can help in immediate local response and awareness.

References:

Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR Documentation

Palo Alto Networks Traps Agent User Guide

In PAN-OS, when a portable executable (PE) file larger than 10 MB (default threshold) is encountered, it is not forwarded to the WildFire cloud service. This is due to size limitations on file submissions to the service.

Default Behavior:

Files exceeding the size limit are not forwarded to WildFire for analysis.

WildFire signatures are generated based on the analysis of unknown files submitted to the WildFire cloud. These signatures are updated and pushed to the antivirus database every 24 hours. This frequent update cycle ensures that the firewall can detect and block the latest threats quickly and effectively, minimizing the window of exposure to new malware.

WildFire, Palo Alto Networks' advanced threat analysis service, has expanded its capabilities to analyze the following new script types:

VBScript: A scripting language commonly used in Windows environments for automation and administrative tasks, which can be exploited for malicious purposes.

JScript: A Microsoft implementation of JavaScript, used in various applications and often targeted by attackers for script-based exploits.

PowerShell Script: A powerful scripting language used for task automation and configuration management in Windows, which has become a common target for advanced attacks due to its capabilities.

By analyzing these script types, WildFire enhances its ability to detect and prevent sophisticated attacks that leverage scripting languages.

References:

Palo Alto Networks WildFire Datasheet

Palo Alto Networks WildFire Administration Guide

The Automated Correlation Engine in PAN-OS is designed to analyze firewall logs to detect and correlate actionable events on the network. This feature processes a series of related threat events to identify compromised hosts or other significant security issues. By automatically pinpointing areas of risk and providing detailed insights, it allows administrators to assess vulnerabilities and take preventive measures to protect network resources. This capability is crucial for optimizing security outcomes and maintaining a robust defense posture.

WildFire, a cloud-based malware analysis service provided by Palo Alto Networks, supports the analysis of various file types to detect malicious content. Specifically, it supports:

B. 7-Zip: WildFire can analyze compressed files in the 7-Zip format, which is commonly used to distribute malware in compressed archives.

C. Flash: Analysis of Flash files helps in detecting malware that can be embedded in Flash content, which has historically been a common vector for exploits.

D. RPM: WildFire supports the analysis of RPM packages, which are used in various Linux distributions and can be used to distribute malicious software.