A vulnerability is a weak spot in a system. Vulnerabilities enable hackers and crackers to gain access to a network.
It is virtually impossible to have no weak spots, and not all weak spots exist inside the code itself. The biggest vulnerability for many companies is people.
Human examples of vulnerabilities include a human response to phishing emails or weak passwords. Technological vulnerabilities include software that hasn’t been updated or patched, or could exist as a weakness in the source code of a program.
To accurately define what an exploit is, think of the act of the hacker or cracker using a vulnerability to enter or compromise IT systems or software. Exploits need vulnerabilities to exist, which is why preventing vulnerabilities is so important.
In today’s technologically advanced world, criminals don’t need to be sophisticated coders or computer experts to exploit a vulnerability — especially of the human variety. They can buy automated tools to attack weaknesses on a grand scale and there’s plenty of data available on the dark web to trick your team into making a mistake and letting them in.