What is zero day malware?

Zero day malware is malware that is not yet understood to anti-virus software vendors or companies. It makes use of vulnerabilities in software application or hardware that have not yet been patched or repaired. The term "no day" originates from the reality that when the malware is found, there is absolutely no time to patch the vulnerabilities before assaulters can exploit them.

https://cleardex.io/blog/?p=853 Absolutely no day malware is often used in targeted attacks against specific organizations or individuals. The assaulters will thoroughly select their targets, and then craft their malware to specifically make use of the vulnerabilities in those target's systems. This makes absolutely no day malware very difficult to discover and safeguard against.

One of the most well-known examples of no day malware is the Stuxnet worm, which was used to attack commercial control systems. Stuxnet had the ability to spread itself through USB drives and contaminated networks of computers, without being found by anti-virus software. It then specifically targeted Siemens industrial control systems, and caused physical damage to centrifuges in Iran.

No day malware is a serious hazard to people and companies. It is necessary to keep your systems up-to-date with the current security patches, and to be mindful of the current dangers.