What does the term "exploit" refer to in cybersecurity?

The term "exploit" in cybersecurity specifically refers to software or a code fragment that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in systems, applications, or networks. Exploits are used by attackers to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or perform other malicious actions within a system. This aligns with the broader context of cybersecurity, where understanding and addressing vulnerabilities is essential to protecting sensitive information and maintaining system integrity.

The other choices do not accurately capture the definition of "exploit." While creating strong passwords and discovering weak passwords are relevant to security, they do not directly relate to exploiting vulnerabilities. Similarly, a tool used for monitoring network traffic is important for security, but it plays a different role than an exploit, which specifically targets and compromises vulnerabilities.