What is the primary purpose of a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

• A. To encrypt backend database connections
• B. To filter and monitor HTTP traffic to web applications
• C. To enhance the performance of web servers
• D. To store backup data for applications

Answer: (B)

The primary purpose of a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is to filter and monitor HTTP traffic to web applications. A WAF sits between users and the web application, inspecting incoming and outgoing traffic for malicious activity or vulnerabilities. It helps to protect web applications by enforcing security rules that block or allow traffic based on criteria set by security policies. This is particularly important because web applications often face various threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other common attack vectors.

In contrast, other options mention functions that are not the primary focus of a WAF. Encrypting backend database connections is a task typically associated with securing database communications rather than web application traffic. Enhancing the performance of web servers may involve optimizations at different layers of the network stack but doesn't equate to the security-focused role of a WAF. Storing backup data for applications relates to data redundancy and disaster recovery strategies, which are essential for data integrity but do not pertain to the protective functions of a WAF. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the critical security function that a WAF serves in defending web applications.