The article explores the distinction between software vulnerabilities and exploits, highlighting how vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software that can be exploited by malicious code to breach systems. It explains that vulnerabilities, like unsanitized inputs or insecure requests, are often targeted by hackers as entry points for more complex attacks. The article discusses well-known vulnerabilities such as Log4Shell and Heartbleed, emphasizing the challenges posed by zero-day vulnerabilities, which are exposed before a patch is available. To bolster security, strategies such as regular patching, red-teaming exercises, penetration testing, and code scanning are recommended, alongside investing in observability to detect unusual system behavior during attacks. The article underscores the importance of understanding and mitigating these vulnerabilities to protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.