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# How to Set Up Cloudflare WAF Rules for Effective Website Protection
- URL: https://techbookshelf.com/set-up-cloudflare-waf-rules/
- Published: 2026-10-01T19:28:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-01T19:28:00.000Z
- Description: This article guides you through setting up Cloudflare WAF rules to protect your website effectively while balancing security and usability.
- Author: Md Astafar Hossain
- Tags: Website Security, Cloudflare, Web Application Firewall, Cybersecurity

This article explains how to set up Cloudflare WAF rules to protect websites effectively while maintaining user experience.

Cloudflare’s Web Application Firewall (WAF) offers a range of managed and customizable rules designed to block malicious traffic and reduce vulnerabilities. Understanding how to set up Cloudflare WAF rules requires not only activating protections but also tailoring them to the site’s specific threat profile. For example, turning on the OWASP Top 10 managed ruleset can block common attack types, but without adjustments, it may also trigger false positives affecting legitimate users.

Website administrators and security professionals will find step-by-step guidance on creating and optimizing custom firewall rules, balancing security with usability, and integrating complementary features like rate limiting and IP reputation. This approach helps ensure robust defense without unnecessary disruptions to genuine traffic.

## Before you start: prerequisites and preparation

Configuring Cloudflare WAF rules requires specific prerequisites to ensure an effective and disruption-free implementation. First, an active Cloudflare account with the website already added to the dashboard is essential. Without this, rule creation and management are not possible.

Understanding the website’s typical traffic patterns and common security threats is equally crucial. This knowledge helps in tailoring WAF rules to block malicious activity without negatively impacting legitimate users. Misinterpretation of traffic can lead to false positives, a common misconfiguration that frequently results in unintended downtime or user access issues.

Access to the Cloudflare dashboard with appropriate permissions is necessary. The minimum required access level is the ability to manage Firewall settings, typically granted to administrators or security roles within the Cloudflare account. Users without these permissions will be unable to create or modify WAF rules, which can delay the setup process.

Backing up current security settings and website data before proceeding reduces risks. In case of misconfiguration, restoration to a known good state avoids prolonged service disruptions. Cloudflare allows exporting firewall rules and settings, which is recommended prior to changes.

1. Verify an active Cloudflare account with the target website added.  
*Successful verification shows the website listed and active under the “Websites” tab in the Cloudflare dashboard.*
2. Review website traffic logs and identify common threats using analytics tools or previous incident reports.  
*Effective review results in a documented overview of normal traffic volumes, common user agents, and typical request patterns.*
3. Confirm access permissions by navigating to “Members” under the “Account Home” and ensuring the user has Firewall management rights.  
*Proper access is confirmed when “Firewall Rules” are visible and editable in the dashboard menu.*
4. Export current firewall rules and security settings from “Firewall” > “Tools” > “Export”.  
*An export file containing existing rule configurations is saved for backup purposes.*
5. Back up website data using the hosting provider’s tools or external backup solutions.  
*Backup completion is confirmed by the presence of a recent restore point or archive accessible for recovery.*

**Tip:** Double-check user roles before starting rule creation to prevent permission-related delays during setup.

## Understanding Cloudflare WAF and its rule types

The Cloudflare Web Application Firewall (WAF) offers several types of rules designed to protect websites by filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic. Each rule type serves distinct purposes and can be combined to create a layered security posture tailored to specific threats and performance needs.

### Managed Rulesets

Managed rulesets are pre-configured collections of rules curated and maintained by Cloudflare’s security experts. These rules address common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and known exploits. Activating managed rulesets provides broad protection with minimal configuration, making them a foundational component of Cloudflare WAF.

### Custom Firewall Rules

Custom firewall rules enable website administrators to define specific conditions and actions tailored to their unique environment. Using logical expressions based on HTTP request attributes—such as IP address, URI path, headers, and query parameters—these rules allow precise control. For example, blocking requests from certain countries or allowing traffic only to particular API endpoints helps balance security and usability.

### Rate Limiting Rules

Rate limiting rules restrict the number of requests from a single IP address or other identifiers within a defined time window. They help mitigate brute force attacks, web scraping, and denial-of-service attempts. For instance, setting a limit of 100 requests per 5 minutes to a login page can prevent credential stuffing without affecting legitimate users.

### Integration with Other Cloudflare Security Features

Cloudflare WAF rules operate alongside other security layers, including IP reputation scoring, bot management, and SSL/TLS encryption. IP reputation filters automatically block or challenge traffic from suspicious sources, complementing custom and managed WAF rules. Bot management further refines traffic classification, allowing WAF rules to focus on genuine threats without excessive false positives.

| Rule Type                      | Typical Use Cases                                     | Security Impact                                     | Example                              |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Managed Rulesets               | Broad coverage of common vulnerabilities              | High baseline protection with minimal setup         | Protect against OWASP Top 10 threats |
| Custom Firewall Rules          | Specific traffic filtering or access control          | Granular control, tailored to unique environments   | Block traffic from certain countries |
| Rate Limiting Rules            | Prevent abuse via excessive requests                  | Mitigate brute force and scraping attacks           | Limit login attempts per IP          |
| IP Reputation & Bot Management | Automatic blocking of suspicious or automated traffic | Reduce false positives and improve threat detection | Challenge requests flagged as bots   |

## Assessing your website’s threat profile before rule creation

Analyzing website traffic and vulnerabilities is essential to tailor Cloudflare WAF rules effectively. Prioritizing rule creation based on actual threat patterns helps balance security and user experience.

1. **Access the Traffic Analytics and Firewall Events:** Navigate to the Cloudflare dashboard, select the relevant domain, then open the "Firewall" tab and review "Firewall Events" and "Traffic Analytics." Successful access shows detailed logs of incoming requests, blocked threats, and flagged challenges.
2. **Identify Common Attack Patterns:** Examine entries for frequent occurrences of SQL injection attempts, cross-site scripting (XSS), or other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. A pattern of repeated SQLi attempts on specific endpoints suggests prioritizing SQLi-related WAF rules.
3. **Spot False Positives and Legitimate Users:** Review events with action marked as "Block" or "Challenge" but originating from known user agents or IP addresses. High volumes of such events may indicate false positives requiring rule adjustment or exclusion to avoid disrupting genuine traffic.
4. **Analyze Geographic and IP Reputation Data:** Use the dashboard's IP reputation and geographic distribution graphs to identify suspicious sources. A surge in requests from countries or IP ranges with poor reputation may signal targeted attacks, guiding IP-based WAF rule customization.
5. **Examine Rate Limiting Triggers:** Check if rate limiting events correlate with spikes in suspicious traffic. Understanding these triggers helps integrate rate limits with WAF rules effectively.
6. **Prioritize Rule Creation Based on Platform and Industry:** Consider the website’s underlying platform (e.g., WordPress, Magento) and industry-specific threats. For example, e-commerce sites often face more payment fraud attempts, so rules targeting credential stuffing and bot management should be prioritized.
7. **Work with Sample Traffic Data:** For instance, a website receives multiple POST requests to a login page flagged as SQLi attempts from a handful of IPs in a short timeframe. This pattern suggests the need to create or enhance WAF rules targeting SQL injection on authentication endpoints.
8. **Document Findings and Plan Rules:** Summarize identified threats, false positives, and sensitive endpoints. Use this to draft a prioritized list of WAF rules, balancing blocking aggressive attacks with minimizing impact on genuine users.

**Tip:** Regularly revisit analytics after deploying WAF rules to fine-tune settings based on evolving traffic and threat patterns.

## Creating custom Cloudflare WAF firewall rules step-by-step

1. Log into the Cloudflare dashboard and select the appropriate website from the account list. The overview page for that domain will appear.
2. Navigate to the **Security** tab in the left-hand menu, then select **WAF** followed by **Firewall Rules**. This opens the firewall rules interface where custom rules can be created and managed.
3. Click on **Create a Firewall Rule**. A new rule creation panel will appear, prompting for a rule name and expression definition.
4. Enter a descriptive name reflecting the rule's purpose, such as "Block SQL Injection Attempts." Clear naming helps with ongoing management and troubleshooting.
5. Define the rule expression using the Cloudflare expression builder or by entering a custom expression syntax. For example, to block common SQL injection patterns, use an expression like *(http.request.uri.query contains "union select" or http.request.uri.query contains "drop table")*. This targets specific suspicious query strings.
6. Set the rule action by choosing one of the available options: *Block* to outright deny matching requests, *Challenge* to present a CAPTCHA, or *Log* to record the event without blocking. Selecting *Challenge* can reduce false positives while maintaining security.
7. Before enforcing the rule, enable **Simulation Mode**. This allows observing how the rule would behave without affecting live traffic, visible in the firewall event logs.
8. Save the rule and monitor the simulation logs for several days to assess its impact. Check for unintended blocks or false positives that could disrupt legitimate users.
9. Adjust the expression or action as needed based on simulation results. For instance, refine the expression to exclude harmless query parameters or switch from *Block* to *Challenge* if user disruption is detected.
10. Once confident in the rule’s effectiveness and minimal disruption, disable simulation mode to activate enforcement. Confirm by reviewing recent firewall events showing blocked or challenged requests matching the rule.

**Tip:** Use the Cloudflare expression builder's autocomplete and validation features to reduce syntax errors when writing custom expressions.

![Creating custom Cloudflare WAF firewall rules step-by-step – how to set up Cloudflare WAF rules](https://techbookshelf.com/content/images/2026/10/set-up-cloudflare-waf-rules-2.webp)

**Example rule expression:** *(http.request.uri.query contains "union select" or http.request.uri.query contains "drop table")* with action *Block* will prevent common SQL injection attempts targeting URL parameters.

## Optimizing managed rulesets for maximum protection and minimal disruption

Cloudflare’s managed WAF rulesets provide a strong baseline of protection by automatically blocking common threats. However, default settings may trigger false positives that disrupt legitimate user activity. Fine-tuning these rulesets is essential to maintain security without compromising user experience.

Start by reviewing the default managed rules enabled in the Cloudflare dashboard under the Security > WAF > Managed Rules section. Identify which rulesets are active, such as the OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set, Cloudflare Specials, and API protection rules.

Disabling individual rules that frequently generate false positives can reduce unnecessary blocks. Navigate to the ruleset details and locate rules with high false positive rates, then disable or exclude them. For example, certain SQL injection detection rules may flag legitimate search queries depending on site content.

Rule exceptions and overrides allow customization without disabling entire rulesets. Create exceptions based on IP addresses, URI paths, or HTTP methods to prevent blocking trusted traffic segments. Overrides can change the default action of a rule from "Block" to "Challenge" or "Log," offering less intrusive responses.

Regular monitoring of WAF activity is vital. Use the Firewall Events log to assess the impact of managed rules on traffic patterns and user interactions. Look for patterns indicating legitimate traffic being blocked or challenged excessively.

**Case study:** A mid-sized e-commerce site initially enabled the full OWASP Core Rule Set and Cloudflare Specials managed rules. They observed a spike in blocked requests during peak sales events, mainly due to false positives on input validation rules affecting product search functionality. After disabling three specific rules related to SQL injection detection and adding exceptions for search URLs, the blocked request rate dropped significantly, while overall protection remained robust.

1. Access the Cloudflare dashboard and go to Security > WAF > Managed Rules. You should see a list of active managed rulesets.
2. Click on an active ruleset, such as OWASP Core Rule Set, to view individual rules and their status. The list will show rules marked as "On," "Off," or with custom overrides.
3. Identify rules with frequent false positives by comparing firewall logs or recent blocked events. Select these rules and disable them by toggling the status to "Off." The rule should no longer trigger blocks.
4. To add exceptions, navigate to Security > WAF > Tools > Rule Exceptions. Define conditions based on IP, URI, or other criteria. When correctly set, traffic matching the exception bypasses the specified rules.
5. For rule overrides, select a rule and change its action from "Block" to "Challenge" or "Log." Confirm the change is saved. This adjustment reduces the impact while still monitoring suspicious activity.
6. Monitor the Firewall Events log after changes for several days to verify fewer false positives and negligible impact on genuine users. Look for a decrease in blocked requests related to your adjustments.

**Tip:** Regularly revisit managed ruleset settings after site updates or traffic changes to maintain the right balance of security and usability.

## Using rate limiting and IP reputation features alongside WAF rules

Cloudflare’s rate limiting and IP reputation features serve as critical complements to WAF rules, creating a layered defense that reduces attack volume while maintaining legitimate traffic flow. Rate limiting controls how many requests a client IP can make within a defined time frame, effectively mitigating brute force and certain denial-of-service attempts before WAF rules apply.

To configure rate limiting for targeted protection, navigate to the Cloudflare dashboard, select the desired domain, then go to *Security > WAF > Rate Limiting*. Create a new rule specifying the URL pattern, HTTP methods, and threshold—for example, limiting login attempts to 10 requests per 5 minutes from a single IP. When configured correctly, traffic exceeding this limit is blocked or challenged, visibly reducing attack attempts that would otherwise trigger WAF rules repeatedly.

**Tip:** Use simulation mode initially to measure how rate limiting affects traffic without blocking legitimate users abruptly.

Cloudflare’s IP reputation scoring automatically evaluates incoming IP addresses based on historical malicious activity, helping to preemptively block or challenge suspicious actors. This feature can be enabled under *Security > WAF > Managed Rules* by activating the IP Reputation-based blocking option. Combining this with custom WAF rules sharpens security efficiency: IPs flagged as high risk can be blocked outright, reducing load on custom rules tailored for nuanced conditions.

Integrating these settings allows for a prioritization where IP reputation filters out clear threats early, rate limiting controls volume-based attacks, and custom WAF rules handle complex, application-specific threats.

For example, a website facing frequent credential stuffing attacks might use IP reputation blocking to drop known attacker IPs, apply rate limiting to the login endpoint to prevent rapid attempts, and deploy custom WAF rules to inspect request payloads for suspicious patterns.

Organizations often observe a noticeable decline in repeated attack traffic after enabling these features together, as automated malicious requests are curtailed before reaching deeper inspection stages.

1. Access the Cloudflare dashboard and select the target domain. The domain’s overview page should appear.
2. Go to *Security > WAF > Rate Limiting* and click **Create a rate limiting rule**. A form for rule configuration will open.
3. Define the rule with a descriptive name, specify the URL path (e.g., `/wp-login.php`), select HTTP methods (e.g., POST), and set the threshold (e.g., 10 requests per 5 minutes). Choose the action (block, challenge, or simulate). Save the rule; it should appear active in the list.
4. Navigate to *Security > WAF > Managed Rules*. Locate the IP Reputation-based blocking setting and enable it. Confirm that the setting is active and saved.
5. Monitor the *Firewall Events* and analytics dashboards to observe reductions in repeated attack attempts and blocked IPs. A decrease in WAF rule triggers often indicates successful integration.

**Tip:** Regularly review rate limiting thresholds and IP reputation settings to balance threat blocking with user experience, adjusting as traffic patterns evolve.

## Monitoring and analyzing WAF rule effectiveness

Effective protection requires continuous monitoring of Cloudflare WAF activity through firewall event logs and analytics. Regular analysis helps identify genuine threats, spot false positives, and refine rules to maintain security without harming legitimate traffic.

1. **Access firewall event logs:** Navigate to the Cloudflare dashboard, select the relevant website, then go to Security > WAF > Firewall Events. The list displays recent WAF-triggered events including rule IDs, source IPs, and action taken. Successful access shows a timeline of blocked, challenged, or allowed requests.
2. **Interpret log entries:** Review entries noting the rule triggered, request URI, and client details. For example, a log entry showing rule ID 100015 blocking a SQL injection attempt on "/login" indicates a real threat. Conversely, repeated blocks on legitimate API calls may indicate false positives.
3. **Identify false positives:** Cross-reference event timestamps with user reports or server logs to detect if legitimate users were blocked. If a rule triggers frequently on valid traffic patterns, it may require adjustment or exception rules.
4. **Analyze threat trends:** Use Cloudflare Analytics under Security > Analytics to view trends in blocked requests by type, geography, and IP reputation. Spikes in certain attack vectors suggest rules needing reinforcement or tuning.
5. **Adjust rules based on analysis:** For false positives, modify the offending rule's expression or add exceptions via the WAF Rules tab. If a real threat pattern emerges, increase rule sensitivity or enable additional managed rulesets. Changes should be tested in simulation mode before enforcement.
6. **Document rule changes and impacts:** Maintain a log of modifications, including rationale and observed effects on traffic. This helps track improvements and informs future adjustments.

Sample log entry:

| Timestamp               | Action  | Rule ID | URI                  | Client IP     |
| ----------------------- | ------- | ------- | -------------------- | ------------- |
| 2026-09-30 14:22:10 UTC | Blocked | 100015  | /login?user=admin'-- | 203.0.113.45  |
| 2026-09-30 15:05:47 UTC | Allowed | 100200  | /api/data            | 198.51.100.22 |

**Decision flow on rule adjustment:** If a rule blocks legitimate requests frequently, first simulate rule changes to avoid disruption. If a rule misses emerging threats, increase its coverage or activate related managed rulesets. Balance is key between reducing false positives and maintaining strong defense.

**Tip:** Schedule regular reviews of firewall events and analytics to stay ahead of evolving threats and fine-tune WAF rules effectively.

## Troubleshooting common issues with Cloudflare WAF rules

Cloudflare WAF rules can sometimes cause unexpected behavior such as false positives, blocking legitimate users, or conflicts between rules. Diagnosing and resolving these issues promptly helps maintain an effective balance between security and usability.

![Troubleshooting common issues with Cloudflare WAF rules – how to set up Cloudflare WAF rules](https://techbookshelf.com/content/images/2026/10/set-up-cloudflare-waf-rules-3.webp)

### Diagnosing rule conflicts and priority issues

Cloudflare evaluates WAF rules based on their priority and order of execution. Conflicts can arise when multiple rules trigger on the same request but specify different actions. To diagnose conflicts, review the firewall event logs under the Security > WAF > Firewall Events tab in the dashboard. Look for entries showing multiple matches on a single request.

Adjust rule priorities by navigating to Security > WAF > Firewall Rules. Higher priority rules execute before lower ones; reordering rules can prevent unintended blocks. When a rule conflict is suspected, temporarily disable lower priority rules and test the impact.

### Steps to whitelist trusted IPs or URLs

1. Navigate to Security > WAF > Tools > IP Access Rules in the Cloudflare dashboard.
2. Enter the trusted IP address or CIDR range to exempt from blocking.
3. Select the action “Allow” and specify the scope (e.g., your domain).
4. Save the rule and verify that legitimate users from these IPs now bypass relevant WAF rules.

For URL whitelisting, create a Firewall Rule with conditions matching the specific URI paths and set the action to “Allow.” This excludes those URLs from WAF inspection where appropriate.

### How to revert or disable problematic rules quickly

1. Access Security > WAF > Firewall Rules.
2. Identify the rule causing issues by correlating blocked requests with rule IDs in the firewall logs.
3. Toggle the rule’s status to “Off” to disable it immediately.
4. Monitor incoming traffic to confirm that the problem no longer occurs.
5. If a managed ruleset causes issues, disable the specific rule within that set via the Managed Rules section.

**Tip:** Use the “Simulate” mode for new rules to test their impact before enforcing them.

### Common error messages and their resolutions

| Error Message                               | Cause                                                               | Resolution                                                                                                 |
| ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Access denied (403)"                       | WAF rule matched and blocked the request.                           | Check which rule triggered the block in firewall logs and whitelist trusted IPs or URLs if false positive. |
| "Challenge required"                        | Challenge or CAPTCHA action triggered by WAF or rate limiting.      | Adjust rule sensitivity or exclude verified clients to reduce unnecessary challenges.                      |
| "Rule conflict detected"                    | Multiple rules with overlapping conditions and conflicting actions. | Reorder or disable conflicting rules to ensure proper execution priority.                                  |
| "Unexpected blocking of legitimate traffic" | False positive caused by overly broad rule conditions.              | Refine rule expressions and test in Simulate mode before enabling.                                         |

### When to consult Cloudflare support or community forums

If troubleshooting steps do not resolve issues, Cloudflare support can assist with detailed log analysis and advanced configuration. The community forums also offer practical insights from users who have faced similar problems. Escalate to support especially when complex managed rulesets or edge cases are involved.

## Maintaining WAF rules over time and responding to emerging threats

Effective WAF management requires ongoing attention to adapt to evolving attack techniques and shifting website requirements. Regular updates and audits help sustain protection while minimizing false positives and user impact.

1. **Review Cloudflare security updates and managed rule changes monthly.** Access the Cloudflare dashboard under Firewall > Managed Rules to monitor updates. When new managed rule versions or patches are released, note changes and test them in a staging environment before full deployment to avoid unexpected disruptions.
2. **Schedule quarterly audits of custom WAF rules.** Evaluate each custom rule's relevance and effectiveness by examining firewall event logs and false positive reports. Disable or adjust rules that no longer address active threats or that cause excessive blocking. A well-maintained custom rule set reduces administrative overhead and user complaints.
3. **Incorporate relevant threat intelligence feeds if supported.** Integrate external threat data sources such as IP reputation lists or vulnerability alerts compatible with Cloudflare’s API. This helps detect emerging attack vectors early and adapt rules promptly, especially for high-risk or targeted websites.
4. **Document all rule changes and rationale systematically.** Maintain a change log detailing who made each modification, the exact rule altered, the reason for the change, and observed outcomes. This documentation supports efficient troubleshooting and knowledge transfer within the security team.
5. **Respond to new attack trends with timely rule updates.** For example, an organization noticed an increase in API abuse through credential stuffing in late Q2\. They introduced custom rate limiting rules combined with stricter bot management settings in early Q3, resulting in a substantial drop in malicious login attempts within weeks. Monitoring attack patterns enables targeted rule enhancements that address specific threats.

**Tip:** Use Cloudflare’s API and configuration templates to automate routine audits and apply consistent rule updates across multiple sites.

## Further reading

- [How to Scan a Website for Malware: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide](https://techbookshelf.com/p/821aa82f-7119-4d4a-b330-61e3692315c9/)
- [Step-by-Step Guide to Secure a Drupal Website Effectively](https://techbookshelf.com/p/84026615-66cc-4020-854a-05d54f608eb0/)
- [How to Secure a WooCommerce Website: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://techbookshelf.com/secure-woocommerce-website/)
- [How to Secure a Shopify Website: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide](https://techbookshelf.com/p/4342216a-639a-44a5-8404-932449022d48/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between Cloudflare managed rulesets and custom WAF rules?

Cloudflare managed rulesets are pre-configured security rules developed and maintained by Cloudflare to address common threats and vulnerabilities. Custom WAF rules are user-defined, allowing specific conditions and actions tailored to a website's unique traffic and threat profile. Managed rulesets offer broad protection with minimal configuration, while custom rules provide granular control but require careful tuning to avoid conflicts or false positives.

### How can false positives be minimized when using Cloudflare WAF?

False positives can be reduced by carefully analyzing blocked requests and refining rule conditions, such as excluding certain paths or adjusting sensitivity levels. Using Cloudflare’s Firewall Analytics and creating exception rules for legitimate traffic patterns helps maintain usability. Gradually enabling rulesets and monitoring their impact before full deployment also limits unexpected blocking.

### Can Cloudflare WAF rules impact website performance?

Cloudflare WAF rules generally have a minimal performance impact due to Cloudflare’s edge network processing. However, complex or excessive custom rules may introduce slight latency if not optimized. It is advisable to prioritize rules based on risk and monitor performance metrics in the Cloudflare dashboard to balance security and speed.

### What steps should be taken if a legitimate user is blocked by a WAF rule?

If a legitimate user is blocked, first identify the specific rule causing the block via Cloudflare’s Firewall Events log. Then, create an exception or bypass rule for the affected URL, IP address, or user agent to restore access. Testing the adjustment and communicating with the user, if possible, ensures that security remains intact without disrupting valid traffic.

## Limits of this guide

This guide does not cover Cloudflare WAF setup for specialized platforms with custom integration requirements. Readers managing highly customized or legacy environments should consult platform-specific documentation or engage security experts familiar with their technology stack. Additionally, advanced use cases involving API security or integration with third-party SIEM tools fall outside this scope.

The most useful next step is to begin actively monitoring WAF event logs and analytics within the Cloudflare dashboard. Regular review of blocked requests, allowed traffic patterns, and false positives will inform precise rule adjustments. Combining these observations with incremental changes to custom firewall rules and managed ruleset settings helps maintain an optimal balance between security and user experience over time.