How can I monitor iptables rules to ensure they are functioning correctly?

You can use tools like `iptables-save` to save your current rules and compare them to previous saves to detect changes. Tools like `tcpdump` can be used to capture network traffic and verify that packets are being dropped as expected. System monitoring tools can also track CPU and memory usage related to iptables, helping you identify potential performance issues. Logging iptables events can provide valuable insights into attack patterns.