Firewalls perform all of the following functions except _________.

Firewalls perform all of the following functions except _________. Correct Answer Eliminates viruses and other malicious attacks

Firewalls are essential security measures for protecting computer networks and systems. They perform several functions to enhance network security, including:

Option A: Forbids communications from untrustworthy sources
Firewalls indeed forbid or block communications from untrustworthy or unauthorized sources. This is a fundamental function of firewalls to prevent unauthorized access and potential security threats.

Option B: Allows communications from trustworthy sources
Firewalls allow or permit communications from trusted and authorized sources. This is another crucial function that ensures legitimate network traffic can pass through while blocking suspicious or unauthorized connections.

Option C: Eliminates viruses and other malicious attacks
Firewalls are not primarily responsible for eliminating viruses and other malicious attacks. Their primary role is to prevent unauthorized access and control the flow of network traffic based on predefined security rules. Antivirus software and other security tools are typically used to eliminate viruses and detect malicious attacks.

Option D: Filters traffic based on packet attributes
Firewalls do filter network traffic based on packet attributes such as source and destination addresses, ports, and protocols. This filtering helps in enforcing security policies and access control rules.

Therefore, the correct statement is that firewalls perform all of the mentioned functions except for Option C: Eliminates viruses and other malicious attacks. Firewalls are not primarily responsible for virus elimination; this task is typically handled by dedicated antivirus and anti-malware software.