How To Prevent Zero-Day Attacks

To protect yourself and your organization from zero-day attacks, it’s crucial to improve security measures by implementing the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP), ensuring software is regularly updated, securing devices and mandating cybersecurity training for all employees.  

Continue reading to learn about zero-day attacks, what causes them and how to prevent them in your organization 

What is a zero-day attack?

A zero-day attack happens when cybercriminals take advantage of weaknesses in software or hardware that haven’t been identified or patched by the developers yet. The term “zero-day” means that the developers have just become aware of the vulnerability and have zero days to patch it before it can be exploited by cybercriminals. This period is critical because until a security patch is released, the vulnerability is open and can be exploited by cybercriminals.

Experiencing a zero-day attack can lead to various damages, including:

• Data theft
• Compromise of intellectual property
• Financial loss
• Shutdown of business operations
• Damage to reputation

What causes zero-day attacks?

Before we get into how to prevent a zero-day attack, let’s discuss what causes them. 

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks involve stealing sensitive information by sending phishing emails or creating fake websites. In zero-day attacks, cybercriminals might include harmful links or attachments in these phishing emails to exploit vulnerabilities. Clicking on them could potentially trigger code that exploits zero-day vulnerabilities.

Watering hole attacks

Watering hole attacks target websites that specific groups or organizations often visit. Cybercriminals inject malicious code into these sites, which then automatically installs malware on the device of a person visiting the site, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities.

Social engineering attacks

Social engineering takes advantage of human psychology, with attackers using lies or manipulation to gain the trust of the victims. For example, cybercriminals might pretend to be legitimate companies or organizations, tricking users into running malicious programs that exploit zero-day vulnerabilities. Social engineering attacks often combine other attack methods like phishing or pretexting.

Spear phishing 

Spear phishing is a type of targeted phishing aimed at specific individuals or organizations. Cybercriminals craft convincing scam emails using information gathered about the victim in advance. This tactic allows them to infect victims’ devices with malware that exploits zero-day vulnerabilities.

Four ways to prevent zero-day attacks

Zero-day attacks exploit hidden weaknesses in software, which can be tough to spot. However,  taking the right steps can help organizations greatly lower the risk of these attacks. Let’s dive into specific tactics to prevent zero-day attacks.

1. Implement least privilege

The principle of least privilege ensures that users and programs are given just enough access to the information and systems necessary for their specific job role. This minimizes the chance for cybercriminals to move laterally if they’ve breached a network and elevated their privileges within the system. The best way to implement this cybersecurity concept is by using a Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution. These solutions show you who’s accessing what within your organization and help control which users have access to sensitive accounts. PAM can also prevent insider threats from abusing high-level accounts.

2. Keep your software updated

Software updates usually come with patches to fix known vulnerabilities. Turning on automatic updates or regularly updating to the latest version can cut down on the weaknesses cybercriminals can exploit. However, while this is an important measure to protect against known vulnerabilities, it doesn’t protect against zero-day vulnerabilities that do not yet have a patch.

3. Protect your endpoints with EDR

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity solution that continuously monitors endpoint devices. It helps spot and react to threats on your devices as they happen. This means you can catch and stop suspicious activity or attempted attacks early on.

4. Train employees on cybersecurity

Employees can be your biggest vulnerability as well as your first line of defense. Without proper training on cybersecurity best practices, they become more susceptible to falling victim to zero-day attacks. It’s crucial for organizations to hold training sessions to teach employees what they should and shouldn’t do on company-owned devices. Key topics for employee training should include:

• Keeping software and devices updated at all times
• Using strong passwords and managing them properly
• Setting up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for online accounts
• Being cautious of social engineering tactics
• Avoiding clicking on unexpected and suspicious links and attachments
• Avoiding going on illegitimate websites
• Refraining from downloading unauthorized software

Avoid falling victim to zero-day attacks with Keeper®

Zero-day attacks are hard to predict and can cause serious damage. One way to prevent them is by using a privileged access management solution. PAM tools carefully control who can access sensitive assets, stopping unauthorized access and misuse of privileges. PAM solutions also keep an eye on who has what access rights, sending alerts if anything suspicious happens. This helps the security team act fast and deal with potential threats.

Zero-Trust KeeperPAM is a powerful solution that gives organizations complete security and control over privileged users on all devices.