What is the main purpose of Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)?

The main purpose of Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) is to protect web applications from common attacks. WAF enhances the security of web applications by filtering and monitoring HTTP requests, thereby mitigating threats like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other web-based attacks. By inspecting incoming traffic and applying security rules, WAF helps ensure that only legitimate requests reach the application, thus preventing unauthorized access and potential exploitation of vulnerabilities. The emphasis on safeguarding web applications makes it an essential component for businesses that rely on online platforms, as it helps maintain the integrity and availability of their web services.

Other choices focus on different functions that are not related to web application security; for instance, options regarding database management, cloud storage solutions, and server configurations do not address the core protective role that WAF serves in the context of web applications.