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In computer security, what is a 'zero-day' exploit?

A vulnerability that is known to the vendor

An exploit that is patched immediately

A vulnerability that is exploited before it is known to the vendor

A 'zero-day' exploit refers to a vulnerability that is exploited by attackers before the vendor or developer is aware of its existence. This means that the software or hardware affected by the vulnerability has not yet been patched or secured, giving attackers an opportunity to exploit it without any immediate defenses in place.

The term "zero-day" indicates that the vulnerability exists for zero days—meaning the time frame during which it can be exploited without a known fix or mitigation—because the vendor does not have the chance to release a patch before the exploit occurs. This makes zero-day vulnerabilities particularly dangerous, as they can be targeted in attacks until the vendor is notified and is able to address the issue. The lack of prior knowledge allows these exploits to be especially effective against systems, often leading to significant damage or data loss.

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A security measure implemented after a breach

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