A zero-day exploit is a vulnerability in a software program that is unknown to the company or person who created the software. This hole is then exploited by hackers before the vendor is aware the vulnerability exists and can fix it. Hence, ‘zero day’ attack.

A zero-day exploit highlights the essential weakness of today’s computer security model: the constant struggle to identify zero day vulnerabilities and patch them. Software companies are forever playing cat and mouse with hackers who find new vulnerabilities. This means systems are regularly vulnerable. Vulnerabilities combined with social engineering expose businesses to cyber heists. The only solution to protect one’s bank accounts online is using BankVault – which bypasses one’s local machine and thus negating any vulnerabilities and malware within it.

You can reduce your risk by practicing safe computing best practices like regularly updating your operating system and software to include the latest ‘fixes’ and being alert to new vulnerabilities and which operating systems and software can be impacted by them.