Perfect Soundness

Definition ∞ Perfect soundness is a property in cryptographic proof systems where a false statement cannot be proven true. It means that if a statement is incorrect, no prover, regardless of their computational power, can convince an honest verifier that it is true. This ensures the integrity and reliability of the proof, preventing malicious actors from fabricating valid proofs for invalid claims. It is a critical security attribute for trustless verification.
Context ∞ Perfect soundness is a key characteristic discussed in the development and analysis of zero-knowledge proofs and other advanced cryptographic protocols used in blockchain. News articles or technical reports may highlight how new proof systems achieve this level of security. Its presence is essential for maintaining the integrity of decentralized computations and privacy-preserving transactions.