Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) Practice Exam

When the Content-ID engine detects a virus and the decoder action is set to "block", what happens to the client's file download?

1. The download completes successfully

2. The file download is terminated

3. The client is notified to proceed with the download

4. The firewall sends a warning email to the administrator

The correct answer is: The file download is terminated

When the Content-ID engine detects a virus and the decoder action is set to "block," the file download is terminated. This action is part of the security measures implemented by the Palo Alto Networks firewall to prevent the spread of malware and protect the network from potentially harmful files. Once the Content-ID engine identifies a file that is malicious based on predefined signatures or heuristical analysis, it intervenes by immediately stopping the transmission of the file. This ensures that the client does not receive any infected files that could compromise the security of their system or the broader network. By blocking the file download, the firewall effectively prevents the threat from entering the client’s environment, thereby maintaining a secure network posture. This proactive approach is a fundamental aspect of how network security policies are enforced using Palo Alto Networks security appliances.