T 5.64 Manipulation of data or software in database systems

Data can be corrupted or made unusable deliberately by manipulating the data accordingly. The corresponding consequences are described in T 4.28 Loss of data in a database and T 4.30 Loss of database integrity/consistency described.

When the files of a database or the standard database software are intentionally deleted or changed, the result is the deliberate destruction of the entire database system (see T 4.26 Failure of a database).

It is generally impossible to prevent users with the appropriate system and data access authorisations from manipulating data or destroying a database. If it is also possible to circumvent the system and data access authorisations (for example due to incorrect administration of the DBMS), then it is also possible for unauthorised users to gain access to the database and manipulate the data stored in it.