As the use of the Internet is increasing around the world, the cases of hacking and cyber attacks are also increasing. To protect against cyber attacks, you are asked to keep the password, firewall, or antivirus updated on your phone and computer. Big tech companies also do the same. However, cybercriminals still take advantage of some weaknesses carry out cyber attacks, and steal many important information. Last year, cyber-attacks were carried out on many companies ranging from tech companies to banks and the health care industry. Most of these attacks were carried out to demand ransom of millions of dollars. Big companies are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
A small flaw invites a big attack.
Last year, the cyber attack on the cloud data platform Snowflake was a topic of discussion. Cybercriminals gained access to the company's server by breaking into the account of an employee of Snowflake itself. After this, the attackers demanded a ransom of $ 5 million from the company to prevent leaking the sensitive data of thousands of people available on the cloud platform.
Big companies adopt many methods to avoid cyber attacks. The firewall of their servers is always kept updated. Many companies have a team specifically that works to identify and prevent the possibilities of hacking and data breaches, but still, a small loophole spoils their whole game. Amidst the increasing cyber threats in the digital world, Zero Day Vulnerability is being discussed a lot. This is a situation when a company is attacked by cyber and it does not even know about it and when it comes to know, it is too late. In this article, we will tell you why "Zero Day Vulnerability" is like a nightmare for big tech companies around the world and will understand how cyber attackers carry it out.
What is Zero Day Vulnerability?
Use of Zero-Day Vulnerability in Cyber Crime
When a hacker discovers this flaw, he can misuse it in many ways. Hackers can damage the system by inserting viruses or ransomware or stealing sensitive data, such as passwords, banking information and confidential documents. Hackers can take complete control of the computer or device. The infected system can also be used for a major cyber attack.
Some big cases of Zero Day Vulnerability
Big tech companies like Google and Microsoft have also not been untouched by "zero-day" cyber attacks. In 2010, hackers detected a "zero-day" flaw in the server of Iran's nuclear plant and inserted the Stuxnet Virus, after which many pieces of equipment installed in the plant either got damaged or burnt down on their own. A similar flaw was found in Microsoft Windows, which affected thousands of systems.
In 2020, the video conferencing app Zoom was being used extensively during Covid. Cyber attackers attacked using zero-day, affecting 50 crore users. At the same time, in 2023, hackers took advantage of a loophole in the Chrome browser and broke into sensitive data.
How can Zero Day Vulnerability be avoided?
No matter how big a company is, it cannot achieve 100 percent protection from cyber attacks. Simply put, companies holding big data on the internet are always on the radar. The sooner a loophole in the software is discovered and fixed, the sooner the attacks caused by that loophole can be prevented. However, as soon as hackers find another loophole, they can attack from another route. Staying updated is the best defense to stay safe in the digital world.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
