Which of the following actions involves a threat agent modifying an asset?

The action of unauthorized changes to data specifically involves a threat agent altering the state of an asset, which in this case is the data itself. This modification indicates an intent to change the original information, whether that involves adding, deleting, or altering data in a way that is unauthorized and potentially harmful. This can lead to various consequences like loss of data integrity, misinformation, and operational disruptions.

Other options describe different forms of threats or attacks, but they do not inherently involve the direct modification of an asset. Unauthorized access pertains to gaining entry into a system without permission but does not necessarily entail changing data. Data theft refers to the unauthorized copying and removal of data rather than its modification. Identity fraud involves misrepresentation of a person’s identity but does not involve changing the assets in question. Therefore, the act of making unauthorized changes to data uniquely encompasses the direct alteration of an asset by a threat agent.