>From dictionary.com:
tamperproof adjective 1 that cannot be tampered with; impervious to tampering tamper verb (used without object) 1 to meddle, especially for the purpose of altering, damaging, or misusing (usually followed by with ) 2 to make changes in something, especially in order to falsify (usually followed by with ) 3 to engage secretly or improperly in something. 4 to engage in underhand or corrupt dealings, especially in order to influence improperly (usually followed by with ) The example provided by John Allen (UK) is not tampering as he did not take the unit apart for any of the above reasons. Using the above definitions, the reasons for using any “tamperproof” construction assumes nefarious objectives on the part of the equipment users. Best regards, Rich From: John Allen <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 8, 2019 2:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [PSES] Tamper-proof Hardware IMHO, the subject of “tamper-proofing devices” will be around for a “long time” because, once a “new” device is introduced, then “someone” will (pretty soon!) come up with a “workaround” – it’s just a case of when the workaround becomes available, and then when will someone find and use it, and NOT if they will! :( By way of example, today I finally looked to see if I could fix an old non-functional plug-in mains-supplied timer, but then found that the 2 parts of the body were secured by “tamper-proof” screws, which were roughly like a normal flat-blade screw head, but with a gap in the centre for a spigot on the end of the removal tool – which I have had in the toolbox for, probably, nearly a decade! Thus I had the timer apart in a few minutes (and then found the cause of the problem quite quickly). Thus it’s a matter of “not if”, but “when”. OTOH, to “come down to ground” - in practice, it all comes down to the question as to whether the “intended users” are likely to be able to find the workaround, and would then want to, bypass the safety measures ?????? John E Allen W. London, UK - ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieee-pses.org/emc-pstc.html Attachments are not permitted but the IEEE PSES Online Communities site at http://product-compliance.oc.ieee.org/ can be used for graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://www.ieee-pses.org/list.html (including how to unsubscribe) List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <[email protected]> Mike Cantwell <[email protected]> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <[email protected]> David Heald: <[email protected]>
