Tamperproofing
Encyclopedia
Tamperproofing is a term sometimes used for a methodology used to hinder, deter or detect unauthorised access to a device or circumvention of a security system.
Since any device or system can be foiled by a person with sufficient knowledge, equipment, time, etc., the term "tamperproof" is a misnomer. Tamper resistance
and tamper-evident
systems and devices are better terminology.
heads. Drivers for these heads are commonly available from electronics retailers.
s. Most trip devices (e.g. pressure pads, passive infrared sensors (motion detector
s), door switches
) use 2 signal wires that, depending on configuration, are normally open or normally closed. The sensors sometimes need power, so to simplify cable runs, multi-core cable
is used. While 4 cores is normally enough for devices that require power (leaving two spare for those that don't), cable with additional cores can be used. These additional cores can be wired into a special so-called tamper circuit in the alarm system.
Tamper circuits are just like any other zone (in that they can be n.o. or n.c.) with the exception that the system monitors them 24 hours.
Would-be intruders run the risk of triggering the alarm by attempting to circumvent a given device.
Sensors such as movement detectors, tilt detectors, air-pressure sensors, light sensors, etc., which might be employed in some burglar alarms, might also be used in a bomb
to hinder defusing.
Since any device or system can be foiled by a person with sufficient knowledge, equipment, time, etc., the term "tamperproof" is a misnomer. Tamper resistance
Tamper resistance
Tamper resistance is resistance to tampering by either the normal users of a product, package, or system or others with physical access to it. There are many reasons for employing tamper resistance....
and tamper-evident
Tamper-evident
Tamper-evident describes a device or process that makes unauthorized access to the protected object easily detected. Seals, markings or other techniques may be tamper indicating.-Tampering:...
systems and devices are better terminology.
Mechanical
Some devices contain non-standard screws or bolts in an attempt to deter access. Examples are telephone switching cabinets (which have triangular bolt heads that a hex socket fits) and computer hard drives, which usually have a star-shaped head for the screws, known as TorxTorx
Torx developed by Camcar Textron, is the trademark for a type of screw head characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern. People who are unfamiliar with the trademark generally use the term star, as in star screwdriver or star bits...
heads. Drivers for these heads are commonly available from electronics retailers.
Electrical
This style of tamper resistance is most commonly found in burglar alarmBurglar alarm
Burglar , alarms are systems designed to detect unauthorized entry into a building or area. They consist of an array of sensors, a control panel and alerting system, and interconnections...
s. Most trip devices (e.g. pressure pads, passive infrared sensors (motion detector
Motion detector
A motion detector is a device for motion detection. That is, it is a device that contains a physical mechanism or electronic sensor that quantifies motion that can be either integrated with or connected to other devices that alert the user of the presence of a moving object within the field of view...
s), door switches
Reed switch
The reed switch is an electrical switch operated by an applied magnetic field. It was invented at Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1936 by W. B. Ellwood. It consists of a pair of contacts on ferrous metal reeds in a hermetically sealed glass envelope...
) use 2 signal wires that, depending on configuration, are normally open or normally closed. The sensors sometimes need power, so to simplify cable runs, multi-core cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
is used. While 4 cores is normally enough for devices that require power (leaving two spare for those that don't), cable with additional cores can be used. These additional cores can be wired into a special so-called tamper circuit in the alarm system.
Tamper circuits are just like any other zone (in that they can be n.o. or n.c.) with the exception that the system monitors them 24 hours.
Would-be intruders run the risk of triggering the alarm by attempting to circumvent a given device.
Sensors such as movement detectors, tilt detectors, air-pressure sensors, light sensors, etc., which might be employed in some burglar alarms, might also be used in a bomb
Bomb
A bomb is any of a range of explosive weapons that only rely on the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy...
to hinder defusing.