Packing and obfuscation are techniques commonly used in cybersecurity, especially by malware authors, to conceal the true nature of software code. Packing involves compressing or encrypting an executable file so that its original code is hidden until runtime, making it difficult for security tools to analyze it statically. Obfuscation, on the other hand, alters the code structure or flow without changing its functionality, making it harder for analysts and automated tools to understand or reverse engineer the program. Both methods are designed to evade detection by antivirus software and complicate efforts to analyze or dissect malicious software, thereby increasing the longevity and effectiveness of cyber threats.