Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

Which tool is primarily used to protect networks by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic?

1. Antivirus

2. Router

3. Firewall

4. Blaster

The correct answer is: Firewall

A firewall is primarily utilized to protect networks by monitoring and controlling the traffic that flows into and out of the network. It serves as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet. By analyzing the data packets that attempt to enter or leave the network, firewalls can either allow or block traffic based on predefined security rules. This capability is essential for preventing unauthorized access and potential cyber threats. In contrast, antivirus software focuses primarily on detecting and removing malicious software from individual devices, rather than managing network traffic as a whole. Routers, while essential for directing data between networks, do not inherently provide robust security features like traffic filtering. Blaster is not a standard term associated with network security and may refer to an old type of malware, which does not fit the context of network protection tools. Thus, the firewall is the proper answer, as it is specifically designed to safeguard network integrity through traffic filtering.