Defacement refers to the act of damaging or altering the appearance of something, often in a way that is considered vandalism. This can include graffiti on buildings, scratching surfaces, or removing parts of an object. The intent is usually to express a message or to destroy the original aesthetic value of the item. In the digital realm, defacement can also occur on websites, where unauthorized individuals change the content or appearance of a site. This is often done for political reasons or as a form of protest. Such actions can lead to significant consequences for the affected website and its owners.