In computer security a threat is a possible danger that might exploit a vulnerability to breach security and thus cause possible harm. A threat can be either "intentional" (i.e. , intelligent; e.g. , an individual cracker or a criminal organization) or "accidental" (e.g. , the possibility of a computer malfunctioning, or the possibility of an "act of God" such as an earthquake, a fire, or a tornado) or otherwise a circumstance, capability, action, or event.
