Definition ∞ History rewrite prevention is a blockchain security feature that makes it exceptionally difficult to alter or delete past transaction records. This property is achieved through cryptographic linking of blocks, where each new block contains a hash of the previous one, forming an unbreakable chain. Any attempt to change an earlier block would invalidate all subsequent blocks, requiring immense computational power to re-mine the entire chain. This mechanism ensures the integrity and trustworthiness of the ledger’s historical data, making it a reliable record of events.
Context ∞ History rewrite prevention is a foundational security guarantee of public blockchains, often highlighted in news concerning data integrity and network attacks. The strength of this prevention is directly related to the network’s computational power and the depth of its chain. Ongoing advancements in consensus algorithms further reinforce this critical aspect of blockchain security, ensuring data immutability.
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