Term: exploit

Exploit (noun / verb)

/ˈek.splɔɪt/ (n) /ɪkˈsplɔɪt/ (v):

1. (Verb) To use someone or something unfairly for your own advantage. LV: izmantot savā labā, ekspluatēt.
2. (Verb) To use something well in order to get an advantage from it. LV: pilnvērtīgi izmantot (resursus).
3. (Noun) In computing, a piece of software or data that takes advantage of a vulnerability to cause unintended behavior. LV: ekspluats (programmatūras kods ievainojamību izmantošanai).
4. (Noun) A brave or exciting act or adventure. LV: varoņdarbs, sasniegums.

Example sentences:

1. Unscrupulous companies often exploit illegal immigrants by paying them very low wages.
2. We need to exploit every opportunity to expand our business into new markets.
3. The hacker used a known exploit to bypass the website’s login screen.
4. She entertained the guests with stories of her daring exploits in the mountains.

Common phrases:

• Zero-day exploit: A cyberattack that happens on the same day a weakness is discovered, before a fix is available.”The company was hit by a zero-day exploit that bypassed their firewall.”
• Exploit a loophole: To use a small mistake or exception in a law or rule to gain an advantage.”The lawyer managed to exploit a loophole in the tax code to save the client money.”
• Exploit resources: To make use of natural or industrial materials.”The country began to exploit resources like natural gas to boost its economy.”
• Vulnerability exploit: The specific method used to attack a known weakness.”Regular updates are necessary to protect against a vulnerability exploit.”