zero-day attacks

A zero-day or "0day" attack is a computer threat that tries to exploit computer application vulnerabilities for which no security fix is yet available. Zero-day exploits are used by attackers before the software vendor knows about the vulnerability. ... The term derives from the age of the exploit. When a vendor becomes aware of a security hole, there is a race to close it before attackers discover it or the vulnerability becomes public. A "zero day" attack occurs on or before the first or "zeroth" day of vendor awareness, meaning the vendor has not had any opportunity to disseminate a security ... (view more)