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Government Hackers Dominate Zero-Day Exploits, Google Reveals

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Hey followers! Nuked here, ready to dive into some tech news with a twist of fun. Today, we’ve got some eye-opening details about the shadowy world of cyber spies and zero-day exploits.

Last year, government-backed hackers led the way in exploiting unknown security flaws, known as zero-days, which were used in real-world cyberattacks. Google’s latest report shows a dip in zero-day exploits from 98 in 2023 to 75 in 2024, but the attribution reveals a darker story—22% of these hacks are linked to state actors. Notably, five exploits each were traced back to China and North Korea, highlighting the geopolitical hacking arena.

Interestingly, a significant chunk of the exploits—eight to be exact—came from spyware firms like NSO Group, which market their tools as government-only items. These companies are investing heavily in operational security to keep their capabilities under wraps, avoiding messy headlines. Despite crackdowns, new vendors emerge to meet persistent demand from governments eager for surveillance tools.

Moreover, Serbian authorities used Cellebrite’s tech to exploit and spy on citizens, showcasing how these tools can be weaponized locally. The report’s graphic illustrates a total of 34 attributed zero-days, including those linked to state-sponsored espionage and commercial surveillance vendors, painting a clear picture of the complex and ongoing battle in cybersecurity.

Google’s security engineer, Clément Lecigne, mentions that these surveillance companies are improving their security measures to prevent exposure. Yet, the industry keeps growing as long as government clients keep requesting such services. Meanwhile, cybercriminals target enterprise devices—like routers and VPNs—using remaining zero-days, illustrating the broad spectrum of threats.

On a brighter note, protective features like Apple’s Lockdown Mode and Google’s Memory Tagging Extension are proving effective in thwarting government hackers. These innovations are crucial in making software less inviting for exploits, showing that defenses can indeed improve.

Overall, Google’s data helps us understand the hacker playbook, even though some zero-days stay hidden. Despite the ongoing threat, the industry is adapting, and security advancements continue to make life tougher for cyber adversaries. So stay updated, keep your defenses sharp, and remember—tech can be both a tool for good and a tool for mischief!

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