Zero-day attacks are extremely dangerous hacker attacks that exploit unknown vulnerabilities in software programs. Especially the software products of well-known large companies are more and more often the target of the attackers.
The name "zero-day" refers to the period of time between the discovery of a security vulnerability and a cyberattack - zero days: the vulnerabilities are therefore only discovered after attacks have already taken place and information has been released to the public. The developers of the software respond to these cyberattacks by issuing a software update as soon as possible that closes the corresponding security hole. As soon as the programmers are able to close this gap in the software code, it is referred to as a "patch".
In recent years, a large black market for zero-day exploits has emerged. Intelligence agencies and private companies buy this information on the darknet for 5 to 6-digit sums. Many large providers such as Google also pay premiums if you inform them of your own vulnerabilities. However, hackers often choose the darknet because they can make significantly higher profits there.
The tricky thing about zero-day exploits is that they allow attackers easy access to other people's computer systems. Although end users cannot protect themselves from all attacks, they can strengthen their own systems and minimize potential vulnerabilities. Our article with 13 tips for more protection against malware shows how to make your system more secure.
