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vulnerability

vuhl-ner-uh-BIL-uh-tee /ˌvʌlnərəˈbɪləti/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

The state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally; a weakness or flaw that can be exploited.

In a technical context, it specifically refers to a weakness in a system, software, or network that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access, cause damage, or disrupt operations.

The story behind the word. The word 'vulnerability' comes from the Latin 'vulnus', meaning 'wound'. From 'vulnus' came 'vulnerare', meaning 'to wound', and then 'vulnerabilis', meaning 'capable of being wounded'. So, to be 'vulnerable' is literally to be 'woundable' or susceptible to injury. In the context of technology, it refers to a weak point where a system can be 'wounded' or exploited by an attack.

Word relationships

weakness: More general; 'vulnerability' implies a weakness that can be exploited or attacked.
exposure: The state of being unprotected; 'vulnerability' is the inherent weakness that leads to exposure.
flaw: A general imperfection; 'vulnerability' is a flaw that specifically creates a risk of harm.

resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
security: The state of being free from danger or threat.
strength: The quality or state of being physically or mentally strong.

Commonly confused with

bug: A 'bug' is any error in code. A 'vulnerability' is a specific type of bug (or design flaw) that creates a security risk and can be exploited by an attacker.
defect: A 'defect' is any imperfection. A 'vulnerability' is a defect that specifically makes a system susceptible to attack or harm.

Word family

vulnerable (adjective): exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed

Collocations

security vulnerability
critical vulnerability
exploit a vulnerability
address a vulnerability
system vulnerability
software vulnerability

Example sentences

"The company promptly released a patch to address a critical software vulnerability that could have allowed hackers to access user data." Discussing cybersecurity.
"His emotional vulnerability made him susceptible to manipulation by others." A general weakness.
"Regular security audits are essential to identify and mitigate any network vulnerabilities before they can be exploited." A system's weak point.

Memory hook

A 'VULNERABILITY' is like a 'WOUND' in your system, making it open to attack. VULNERABILITY = woundable

When not to use

Do not use 'vulnerability' for general problems or errors that don't pose a security risk. It's specific to exploitable weaknesses.

Fun facts

The concept of 'vulnerability' is central to cybersecurity, where identifying and patching these weaknesses is a primary goal.
In psychology, 'vulnerability' is often seen as a strength, allowing for deeper human connection and authenticity.