The Glitch That Hijacks Your Computer

A buffer overflow occurs when software accidentally writes data outside its assigned space. This tiny memory error lets malicious code overwrite neighboring instructions, effectively tricking a computer into executing unauthorized commands.

Think of this like a library book that spills its contents onto the wrong shelf, accidentally rearranging the books next to it. Attackers exploit this by filling a program with extra data until the excess spills over and hijacks the system's control flow. It remains one of the most common ways hackers gain secret access to secure systems. Developers now use special tools to ensure data stays exactly where it belongs to prevent these digital break-ins.