Firewall | Network Application Blocking | Layer 7 Network Security

Which of the following devices would allow a network administrator to block an application at Layer 7 on the network?

A.

Firewall

B.

NGFW

C.

Router

D.

Spam filter.

B.

The correct answer is B, NGFW.

Layer 7, also known as the application layer, is the highest layer in the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. At this layer, data is presented in a format that is meaningful to the application, which means that the application layer can identify and block specific applications.

A firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined security rules. It operates at the network layer (Layer 3) and can filter traffic based on source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols. However, it cannot identify specific applications at Layer 7.

NGFW (Next-Generation Firewall), on the other hand, is an advanced version of a traditional firewall that includes additional features such as application identification, intrusion prevention, and deep packet inspection. NGFW can identify and block specific applications at Layer 7, which makes it an effective tool for network administrators to manage and secure their networks.

A router is a network device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It operates at Layer 3 and can filter traffic based on IP addresses and ports, but it cannot identify specific applications at Layer 7.

A spam filter is a software or hardware device that detects and filters out unwanted email messages. It operates at Layer 7 but is designed to identify and block spam, not applications.

In summary, an NGFW is the device that would allow a network administrator to block an application at Layer 7 on the network.