In cybersecurity, a variant refers to a modified version of an existing piece of malicious software (malware), such as a virus, worm, or trojan. Attackers create variants by altering the code, structure, or behavior of the original malware to evade detection by security tools and antivirus programs. These changes can be minor, like renaming variables, or more significant, such as adding new features or changing the payload. Variants are a common tactic in cyberattacks, allowing threat actors to reuse successful malware campaigns while bypassing signature-based defenses. Identifying and analyzing variants is crucial for cybersecurity professionals to update defenses and prevent new infections.