How does the bitcoin protocol protect against a tampering attack?
As a practitioner in the field of cryptocurrency and finance, I'm curious to understand how the bitcoin protocol safeguards against potential tampering attacks. Could you elaborate on the security mechanisms and safeguards embedded in the protocol that ensure the integrity and authenticity of the blockchain? Specifically, how does the protocol detect and prevent unauthorized modifications to the ledger, and what measures are taken to mitigate the risk of double-spending or other fraudulent activities? I'm interested in understanding the technical details behind the security of the bitcoin network.