WAF — Complete Guide
WAF — Complete Guide: free step-by-step lesson with examples, common mistakes, and interview tips — part of AWS Cloud Tutorial on Toolliyo Academy.
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AWS Cloud Tutorial · Lesson 19 of 100
WAF
Core services → Projects
Core services · 1 — AWS basics · ~6 min · AWS — Networking & Security
What is this?
AWS WAF filters HTTP/S requests at CloudFront, ALB, or API Gateway using managed rule groups and custom rules for SQLi, XSS, and rate limits.
Why should you care?
AwsVerse blocks credential-stuffing on login APIs with rate-based WAF rules.
See it live — copy this example
Run in AWS CloudShell / local AWS CLI v2, or follow the matching steps in the AWS Console (Free Tier).
aws wafv2 create-web-acl \
--name awsverse-api-waf \
--scope REGIONAL \
--default-action Allow={} \
--rules '[{"Name":"RateLimitLogin","Priority":1,"Statement":{"RateBasedStatement":{"Limit":2000,"AggregateKeyType":"IP"}},"Action":{"Block":{}},"VisibilityConfig":{"SampledRequestsEnabled":true,"CloudWatchMetricsEnabled":true,"MetricName":"RateLimitLogin"}}]' \
--visibility-config SampledRequestsEnabled=true,CloudWatchMetricsEnabled=true,MetricName=awsverseWafWhat happened?
- Creates a regional WAF ACL blocking IPs exceeding 2000 requests/5min.
- Associate it with ALB or API Gateway stage.
Practice next
- WAF console → Create web ACL → Regional.
- Add AWS Managed Rules AWSManagedRulesCommonRuleSet.
- Associate with ALB; send test traffic; check Sampled requests.
- Add geo match block for countries you do not serve.
- Enable WAF logging to S3 or CloudWatch.
Remember
WAF = Layer 7 firewall. Managed rules cover OWASP basics. Rate rules stop abuse.
AwsVerse login shield
Bot swarm hits /login.
Outcome: Rate rule blocks IPs; legitimate users unaffected.
Interview prep for this lesson
Practice these questions aloud after reading—each links to a full structured answer.
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