What is a Computer Vulnerability and what causes it? How Can I Protect My Devices

In this world where communications and management of all types of industry or institution is done digitally; Safes, security guards in physical spaces, or other forms of security that were implemented in the past no longer serve: Now you must safeguard yourself from computer attacks on the network and devices. Not because of their economic value, but because of the personal information that we store in them, preventing it from being extracted by others.

Can this happen? Yes, but only if there is a computer vulnerability at the time; which is defined as a system failure that puts the confidentiality of the computer’s database at risk. They are also understood as weaknesses, because these vulnerabilities are the possibility or gap where it can entering an outside agent without supervision.

Although there is the possibility of accessing the computer system, this same discipline has established the concept of risk to better explain the situation: The risk will be high or low, according to the information that is handled. While all devices can be threatened by attackers, there must be a real interest in that information to want to access.

Furthermore, it has also been explained that errors in the construction or coding of systems are common, and in turn have no direct impact on the device or its operation. They are a real problem when they “explode”; that is, at the moment the intruder manages to perpetrate the computer system through various techniques such as XSS, the search for bugs in web applications, and even SQL injection.

But… Do not panic! A way to counteract the failures of computer products has already been found, so that your cybersecurity remains safe.

Guide to detect what causes a computer vulnerability

As we mentioned well, they are the product of errors in the creation, configuration or coding of a computer product such as Software, where the importance of frequent security updates in our operating system prevails. In this way, systems that are poorly designed or made based on non-robust procedures; they can be violated.

1. Error in new products (Zero-day vulnerability) It is the most dangerous, since it is created when the computer error is not yet known, and therefore there is no mechanism to solve the imbalance or problem. In this way, it is much easier for the attacker to hijack system data through a code called an exploit.

2. Lack of maintenance or implementation, both are careless. The first is carried out by users who do not apply and do not even know what a software update is; and the second due to inattention of the producers or manufacturers in the creation of the software itself. They are not serious errors and have quick or easy solutions, but they must be dictated before an attacker exploits that vulnerability.

3. Problems with security policies. As we well know, all networks request security credentials that range from codes on our cell phone to confirmations by mail. However, when we neglect to log in on different devices, or there is a security system failure of the platform; this may be the channel to log in for us.

How to protect my devices from computer vulnerability or fragility?

The investigation and constant updating of the applications and software of my Android, are the No. 1 tool to avoid the exploitation of existing vulnerabilities. In this way, you should be periodically reviewing the news of your services (or assets); changing the password of applications if you have entered on other devices; improving network servers; or ensuring that your security credentials are not obvious, and that your services do not expire or are left with obsolete security systems.

Do you want to use a more professional method to avoid vulnerabilities of all kinds? There is mechanism called “ethical hacking”, which is intended to put the system under pressure to see if it yields. Thus, and seeing if there is a possibility of entering it or not; you will know about the possible existence of vulnerabilities what to fix. However, if you apply the first techniques since you acquire a computer, it will not be necessary.