What do you call a program written to take advantage of a known security vulnerability?

An exploit is a piece of software or code that takes advantage of a vulnerability or weakness in a computer system or application, in order to gain unauthorized access or control of the system. Exploits are often created by hackers and cybercriminals to target specific vulnerabilities in popular software programs or operating systems, and can be used to gain access to sensitive information, install malware or ransomware, or cause damage to the system.

Exploits can be used in a variety of attacks, including phishing attacks, social engineering attacks, and other types of cyber attacks. Once an exploit is successful, the attacker can take control of the system or application, and use it to launch additional attacks, steal data, or cause other types of damage.

To protect against exploits, it is important to keep software and operating systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates, and to use strong security measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems. It is also important to be cautious when opening email attachments, downloading software, or clicking on links from unknown sources, as these are often used to deliver exploits to unsuspecting users.