A zero-day attack, also known as a zero-day vulnerability, is a type of cyberattack that takes advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability in a computer system, application, or network. These types of attacks are particularly dangerous because they can be launched without the knowledge of the affected parties and can be very difficult to detect and prevent.
The term "zero-day" refers to the fact that the vulnerability being exploited has not yet been discovered or publicly disclosed. This means that there are no patches or fixes available to protect against it, and the affected parties may not even be aware that the vulnerability exists.
Zero-day attacks can be used to steal sensitive information, disrupt services, or install malicious software on a victim's system. They are often used by cybercriminals and nation-state hackers to carry out espionage or sabotage.
To protect against zero-day attacks, it is important to regularly update software and systems, implement strong security protocols, and be vigilant about detecting and responding to unusual activity.