Which statement best describes a stateful firewall?
Answer
It tracks active connections and uses their context when evaluating traffic.
Explanation
### Why this is right
A stateful firewall records active connections in a session table and uses that context when deciding how to handle later packets. This lets it recognize return traffic belonging to an allowed connection.
### The concept
A stateless firewall evaluates packets individually, without remembering a connection. A stateful firewall tracks connection context, so it can distinguish a reply packet from an unrelated new connection. Stateful inspection is described as the most common form of firewall inspection in the material.
### The other options
- **A. It evaluates each packet independently and keeps no connection table.** This describes stateless inspection, not stateful inspection.
- **C. It translates every private address into a public address.** This describes a possible network address translation function, not state tracking.
- **D. It permits all traffic that enters a security zone.** Zones group interfaces and addresses; they do not automatically allow traffic.
### Terms
- **Stateful firewall**: A firewall that tracks active connections.
- **Stateless firewall**: A firewall that evaluates packets individually without tracking connections.
### Remember
Stateful means the firewall remembers connection context.
Related Questions
- Which statement best describes the protection a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides?(basic)
- A VPN that encrypts traffic also guarantees that the applications on both endpoints are safe.(basic)
- Explain why a split-tunnel design can reduce central inspection, and identify the traffic affected.(advanced)
- Select ALL protection goals a VPN can support directly through the mechanisms described in the course.(intermediate)
- Compare remote-access and site-to-site VPN designs, including their endpoints and a suitable example of each.(basic)
Want to practice more questions like this?
Join myBenkio free and practice past questions for your Nigerian university courses with AI explanations for every answer.
Start Practicing Free