What type of web application firewall is commonly used with Apache servers to help defend against application layer attacks?

ModSecurity is a widely used web application firewall (WAF) specifically designed for Apache servers and can also integrate with Nginx and IIS. It operates at the application layer, allowing it to inspect and filter HTTP traffic in real-time. By implementing ModSecurity, organizations can defend against a myriad of application layer attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other vulnerabilities commonly exploited in web applications.

ModSecurity offers a set of rules and policies that help identify and mitigate threats based on known attack patterns. It allows developers and security teams to customize rules to suit their specific application needs, enabling a tailored security posture. By utilizing this WAF, Apache servers can enhance their security profile and better protect sensitive data and application integrity.

The other options, while relevant in various contexts, do not serve the same function as a web application firewall. NAT gateways, for example, are primarily involved in managing network address translations and do not specifically address application-level threats. Geoblocking restricts traffic based on geographic location, which can be part of a broader security strategy but does not provide the same level of protection against specific attack vectors as a WAF. Traditional firewalls focus more on network-layer security, inspecting traffic based on IP addresses and ports rather than inspecting