Day Zero

A day zero exploit occurs when a hacker discovers the vulnerability before a software company or network administrator. In this scenario, the vulnerability and the exploit may become known on the same day. There is no way to defend against the exploit since the vulnerability is previously unknown. On the other hand, companies can protect themselves by implementing procedures for the early detection of an exploit. If a company detects signs of potential exploitation, staff can be notified so that action is taken to protect against hacking attempts. Over time, the company can make the appropriate repairs and distribute fixes to end users. Even if a hacker learns of the vulnerability, it may take them sometime to successfully exploit it, a factor that enables a company to develop a fix before the strike occurs. Many hackers use day zero exploits to establish themselves as elite. Those who achieve success typically gather the information needed for an attack from inside industry sources.