Tampering refers to the act of altering, modifying, or interfering with something in a way that can cause it to function improperly or produce misleading results. This can occur in various contexts, such as food safety, where tampering might involve adding harmful substances to products, or in evidence handling, where altering evidence can compromise a legal case. In technology, tampering can involve unauthorized changes to software or hardware, potentially leading to security breaches or data loss. It is often illegal and unethical, as it undermines trust and integrity in systems, whether they are consumer products, digital platforms, or scientific research.