Answer: tamper-evident records
What does tamper-evident meanA record that shows if it has been changed, though it does not stop the change
TimeBinder adds a layer of protection against AI and human fraud and disputes.
The file stays on your device. Your browser makes a digital fingerprint of the file. TimeBinder records the fingerprint and the time, not the file.
Short answer
Tamper-evident means a change would be detectable afterwards, though it is not prevented. Tamper-proof or tamper-resistant means changes are blocked or hard to make. A hashed, timestamped file is tamper-evident: if one byte changes, its fingerprint no longer matches the recorded one.
Evident, resistant and proof
A tamper-evident item shows signs if it is altered, like a seal on a bottle or a signed document with a broken signature. A tamper-resistant item is built to make changes difficult. Tamper-proof is often used loosely, since few things are truly impossible to alter.
For digital files, a cryptographic fingerprint is a common way to make a record tamper-evident. Recompute it later; if it differs from the recorded one, the file is not the same. See what SHA-256 is used for.
What a TimeBind gives you
A TimeBind records a SHA-256 fingerprint of the exact file and a time, anchored to Bitcoin. The fingerprint is made in your browser and the file is not uploaded. The record is tamper-evident for that exact file: any later edit will not match. The Bitcoin anchoring means the recorded time can be checked independently.
It does not prevent editing, and it does not show the file was true or genuine when recorded. See what is blockchain timestamping.
First Pooled TimeBind free, no card, then from US$5. An ASAP TimeBind is US$15.
Frequently asked questions
Is tamper-evident the same as tamper-proof?
No. Tamper-evident means changes can be detected. Tamper-proof implies changes cannot be made, which is rarely achievable.
Is a blockchain record tamper-proof?
Changing an anchored record is designed to be impractical, but the file itself can still be edited. A mismatch is how you detect it.
How does a hash make a file tamper-evident?
Any change to the file produces a different fingerprint, which will not match the earlier recorded one.
Does tamper-evident mean the file is genuine?
No. It only shows the file is unchanged since it was recorded.
Sources
- TimeBinder, What is a file hash?.
- TimeBinder, What is blockchain timestamping?.
Related guides and tools
- What is a file hash?The fingerprint behind a timestamp
- What is SHA-256 used for?Fingerprints explained
- What is blockchain timestamping?The basic idea
- How to tell if a file has been changedComparing versions
- SHA-256 file hash checkerCheck a file in your browser
- All answersShort answers to common file-proof questions
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Related glossary entries: tamper-evident and non-repudiation.
Related glossary entries: hash chain and spoliation of evidence.