Which of the following best describes exploit prevention?

Exploit prevention is best described as a proactive security feature designed specifically to guard against malware attacks that target known vulnerabilities in software and systems. This approach is critical in cybersecurity because it aims to stop the exploitation of vulnerabilities before they can be successfully leveraged by attackers to compromise a system. It involves the use of various techniques, including intrusion prevention systems, behavioral analysis, and signature-based threat detection, to identify and thwart malicious activities.

The focus of exploit prevention is on anticipating potential threats and blocking them in real-time, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of an organization. This differs significantly from other options, such as solely managing network traffic, improving user productivity, or managing user permissions, which do not directly address the risks associated with exploitation of vulnerabilities by malware.