Software and technology evolve fast, and at times they may have an inadvertent flaw in them. Vulnerabilities in technology or software code can be exploited by criminals to gain access to a person’s computer or phone, or a company’s system. The reason why software companies release security patches is to fix or mitigate security flaws that have been discovered in their code
Five points
about vulnerabilities and patching:
1. Vulnerabilities – A flaw in code, hardware or systems may
be exploited by criminals to gain access to restricted systems
2. Zero day - A vulnerability that is not widely known about,
except by the criminals exploiting it, and where there is yet no known fix, is
called a zero-day exploit.
3. Exploits - Criminals can exploit vulnerabilities in
applications and use these to steal passwords, gain access to networks and
install malware
4. Patches - Software companies release security patches is
to fix or mitigate security flaws.
5. Patching - All users of technology, whether individuals or
corporate entities need to ensure they keep their systems and software current
and patched as this helps to protect the technology from criminal exploitation.
