Tamperable describes something susceptible to or capable of being interfered with, altered, or corrupted, often in a surreptitious or unauthorized manner. It indicates a vulnerability where an individual or system's original state can be changed without proper authorization, leading to potential damage, fraud, or inaccuracies. This susceptibility can apply to physical objects, digital data, or even processes and procedures. The degree of tamperability varies, ranging from easily manipulated items to those requiring significant expertise and resources to compromise. This property highlights the need for security measures, safeguards, and validation checks to maintain integrity and trustworthiness. The focus is on the potential for unauthorized modification and the risks associated with such changes.
Tamperable meaning with examples
- The outdated voting machines were considered tamperable, lacking robust security protocols, making them vulnerable to manipulation and raising concerns about election integrity. This risk necessitated immediate upgrades and rigorous auditing to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the democratic process and boost public trust. This was vital as the stakes were very high in the next election and the confidence of the populace depended on the safety of the machines.
- The sensitive financial records stored on the server were deemed highly tamperable due to inadequate encryption and access controls. This vulnerability made the company susceptible to data breaches, fraud, and identity theft, resulting in significant legal and financial ramifications. They had to swiftly implement stronger security, encryption protocols, and regular audits to reduce their chance of falling victim to criminals. This prevented major incidents.
- The experimental drug's packaging was designed to be non-tamperable, including seals and holographic elements to prevent unauthorized access or alteration. These measures ensured the drug's purity, effectiveness, and safety throughout the distribution chain, protecting patients from counterfeit medications. This also prevented the altering of the medications to make them unsafe or toxic.
- The algorithm used in the automated trading system proved to be unexpectedly tamperable. This created opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate market prices, highlighting the need for robust safeguards. This called for urgent updates to code, as well as increased scrutiny in this area. The results of this change were instantly obvious.