you’re going to meet what is a vulnerability or zero-day attack and what is it for. You will need to continue reading until the end because you will find all the related information on this important topic.
Pay attention to every detail, you will know what the main methods used to perform a Zero Day vulnerability and what is the objective of a hacker who carries out this activity.
we will explain how these attacks affect users and it is dangerous or not for your safety and personal information. Finally, you will find the main controversies on the Ethics of Zero Day. Check out.
What is a vulnerability or zero-day attack and what is it for?
to understand what is a vulnerability or a zero-day attack it is necessary to take into account how computer programs are composed. The software is developed with a large number of codes, which are generally formed with already designed structures joined by new ones together by processes carried out by the developers themselves. On other occasions, the software programming schemes are made entirely with the ideas of the programmer.
By joining or using development codes it is common to find vulnerabilities, which are windows or information system failures that can jeopardize the operation, integrity and management of the program. This weakness also it can be a window through which a hacker can enter and steal information users confidential, for this reason every time a vulnerability appears it is necessary to correct it as quickly as possible through patches or updates.
Having analyzed the above, it is feasible to understand what a zero-day attack is. It is understood as a Zero Day attack on the vulnerability that has a software that was released, which is detected by intruders before it is known by the developers themselves. This means that there is no patchas programmers don’t know where the bug iswhich is and cyber attackers to achieve their goal.
Within the concept of vulnerability from day zero is found the method or zero day, which is used by the attackers to advance on the vulnerability found and that still does not have a patch. When using that exploit while the bug was not fixed, This technique is known as a zero-day attack.
What are the main methods used to perform a Zero Day vulnerability?
The main methods used to perform a Zero Day vulnerability of an operating system, app for mobile phones, IoT systems or components of are varied.
We show you the most common:
- Email: It is the main method used by cyber attackers to access the source codes of a program. It is about sending emails from mailboxes that seem secure or using names of frequent contacts, generating confidence to open links or visit malicious pages. Once these links are entered or clicked, it is possible to enter the software development structure.
- Scan to a web page: Another tool chosen by the attackers is to know the codes directly through advanced scans with which the vulnerabilities can be detected.
- Downloading the application or any program as a true user: A quick way to access bugs found in software is by becoming a user. That is, attackers download or register on the platform to find out about the functions, tools available, and work it does. Through their experience, it is possible to detect what types of plugins or codes were used, which can generate windows to enter.
- Server database attacks: It is common to find DoS attacks used by hackers to limit system service to legitimate users, which can be used to learn about weaknesses in software development.
- Implementation of codes in web pages: This type of tool is used to detect vulnerabilities in different online programs, but especially in browsers.
- Applications to open special documents: The intruders carry out the development of these programs to be used and detect the failures, with which it is possible to open the vulnerabilities of the system.
What is the goal of a hacker performing a zero-day attack?
The goal of a hacker carrying out a zero-day attack is:
- Steal confidential information of the users.
- collapse the page or the program.
- Create mistrust in the community about an app, operating system, browser or any other computer development.
- Stifle growth in the market from a competing program.
- make threats to countries or governments.
- limit development of articles related to the Internet of Things.
- attack the image of some powerful person or organization.
How do these attacks affect users? It could be dangerous?
Zero-day exploit attacks have a high risk for users applications, programs and any technological development. This is because cyber attackers, upon detecting a failure, can access the software database, in which they are hosted. all the data related to the privacy of those people and also the financial and economic information.
Upon becoming aware of this information, intruders can use in the manner most beneficial to them Personal information. This causes users of software with zero-day vulnerabilities, for example, to see purchases made with credit cards that they did not make and withdrawals from unauthorized bank accounts. In addition, it is possible that there is an exposure of your personal data and that of your family in public places, which may affect your interests.
Zero Day Ethics What are the main controversies surrounding these practices?
Keep in mind that some Zero Day Attack analysts spend their time finding vulnerabilities and then selling them to other developers or companies interested in weakening their competition. But this is not the only point of view that can be analyzed, since there are organizations dedicated to finding zero-day bugs which are sold to the same designers or not so that they continue investigating and a better product is achieved.
Under certain parameters selling vulnerabilities can be legalTherefore, there are controversies around these practices. The information security companies they must choose whether the zero-day bugs found in their studies can be sold.
And if the answer is positive, To whom should they deliver this valuable information?. To their own owners? To the competition? To other companies that are programming similar software and can affect users? Or, keep the information and get a very profitable financial return.
Tips to protect yourself from a Zero Day attack on your favorite apps and programs
For protect you from a Zero Day attack on your applicationsfavorite programs and web pages keep these tips in mind, which will remain protected at all times.
Watch below:
Pay attention to phishing activities
The It is a frequent activity that tries to deceive the victim through a false identity, which generates a similar appearance to that of a trusted platform for the user. For this reason, to avoid this remote attack and prevent a hacker from enter your databaseyou have to pay attention to the name of servers and databases that you frequently use for your favorite applications and programs.
This means that the cyber attacker will try to impersonate the server on which you have the software hosted, recognized and trusted plugins that you have used, or any other platform necessary for its computer development. Pay attention to details and Do not write your personal data or password to entereven more so when you should never carry out this process to enter your provider.
Avoid opening emails
Remember that to access applications or programs, hackers have to enter the structure of your development codes. To do this, one of the ways most often chosen by criminals is email. Through this tool they send links for you to press and make the exploit codes start doing their job. It is also common to use emails to send invitations to visit harmful web pages, which contain documents that manage to explore vulnerabilities.
For this reason, never open an email from a stranger or from those contacts with whom you maintain another type of conversation. Always verify the sender’s email address, this will help you quickly detect the veracity of the identity of your friends, family or co-workers. If you do not recognize the names or the mailbox, it is recommended not to open them.
Domains with HTTPS protocol
If you have a web page, it is necessary for it to work with the. This method prevents third parties from knowing the information that is transferred from the server to the user, so it is difficult to intercept and listen to the conversation between the two computers.
so that the HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure protect data transfer you will need to buy the HTTPS certificate, you activate it in WordPress and change the addresses url from the server database. Then you must notify Google that you have performed this action so that it performs its checks and makes the changes.
Protect yourself from DDoS attacks
attempts to crash the page through excessive malicious traffic. This makes users cannot access and that attackers can find weaknesses more easily. To prevent attacks on the infrastructure layer and OSI layers 6 and 7, you need to use efficient firewalls.
Besides, the antivirus implementation is helpful because it quickly detects the presence of newly created viruses and exploit codes. But you should not only keep the latest version of the antivirus but also of the operating system you use on your computerr for the development of the application and your favorite program.
Do not forget that a good idea to prevent this type of cyber attacks is the use of virtual private networks. Thanks to a VPN provider you are going to prevent the IP address is easily detected. Finally, you can frequently reset the IP, for this you will need to disconnect the router for a few minutes to regenerate a new address.
Check that your apps do not have trojan viruses
a good way to Checking that your applications do not have , or that they can detect zero-day vulnerabilities is to use the VIRUSTOTAL platform. To do this, you will need to enter with your trusted browser and write https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload in the address bar. Then you can…
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