Understanding zero day attacks and the proactive measures needed to prevent them is crucial for both individuals and organizations striving to protect their digital assets - we've got you covered with this comprehensive guide.
What is a Zero Day Attack?
Zero day attacks are a type of cyber attack that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be in any aspect of a supply chain or product including software, hardware or firmware.
The term ‘zero day’ refers to the fact that the vulnerabilities are completely unknown the the vendor itself, therefore the supplier has had ‘zero days’ to patch the vulnerability before it is exploited.
The term zero day vulnerability is used to refer to the specific security flaw in software, hardware, or firmware that is unknown to the vendor or developer of the affected product.
Once the vulnerability is identified the hackers then exploit it to gain access to the system they are targeting. They do this by utilizing a ‘zero day exploit’, this refers to the specific software, code, or method used by attackers to take advantage of a zero-day vulnerability.
Through this hackers can gain unauthorised entry into systems or networks, execute harmful code on compromised machines, steal confidential information, disrupt normal system functions, and deploy malicious software such as ransomware.
Traditional security tools often rely on known signatures and patterns of malicious activity. Because zero-day exploits leverage previously unseen vulnerabilities, these tools may not recognise or flag the attack as malicious. This allows attackers to operate undetected within a compromised system for extended periods.
Organisations are left vulnerable until the flaw is discovered and a fix is developed and deployed. Because they are caught off guard a timely response can be incredibly difficult.
How To Prevent Zero Day Attacks?
Preventing zero day attacks is complicated, as the attack itself relies on vulnerabilities that the target does not know exist. However, a multi-layered security approach and proactive strategies can significantly reduce your risk,
Promptly installing updates and patches for your operating systems, applications, and firmware is crucial. This addresses known vulnerabilities and reduces the overall attack surface, making it harder for attackers to chain exploits. Automating patch management can help ensure updates are not ignored or put off.
A well-configured firewall with features that include deep packet inspection and intrusion prevention, can monitor and control network traffic, potentially blocking some exploit attempts.
What To Do After Zero Day Attack?
If you suspect that you've been targeted by a zero-day attack it is important to take immediate and decisive action.
Prioritise preventing the attack from spreading. This means immediately disconnect any systems suspected of being compromised from the network. This includes cutting off wired and wireless connection
Change passwords for all accounts, especially administrative and service accounts, from a clean, uncompromised device. Implement multi factor authentication wherever possible.
Inform your internal security team, IT department, and relevant stakeholders as soon as possible.
After the initial immediate containment phase its time to bring in external incident response experts to determine the scope of the zero day attack and prevent future attacks by addressing vulnerabilities.
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