What is an exploit?

An exploit is defined as a piece of software or a sequence of commands that takes advantage of vulnerabilities or weaknesses in a system, application, or software. Its primary purpose is to manipulate the system in a way that the creator intends, which often leads to unauthorized access, control, or data theft. Exploits are critical for understanding cyber threats, as they highlight how attackers can leverage existing flaws to compromise security.

The other options do not accurately define an exploit. Software updates designed to fix vulnerabilities aim to enhance security and prevent exploits from succeeding. Anti-virus software is crafted to detect and mitigate threats, including exploits, while a network monitoring tool is used to oversee and analyze network traffic. These tools serve protective or managerial functions rather than taking advantage of vulnerabilities. Thus, understanding an exploit centers on recognizing its role in cyber security threats rather than the preventive or supportive measures represented by the other options.