I’m trying to better understand how blockchain technology maintains data integrity and immutability in a decentralized environment.
From what I understand, blockchain uses a distributed ledger where each block is linked to the previous one using cryptographic hashes. However, I’m confused about how this actually prevents data from being altered.
Specifically:
If someone modifies data in a block, what exactly breaks in the chain?
How do other nodes detect that a block has been tampered with?
What role do consensus mechanisms (like Proof of Work or Proof of Stake) play in maintaining immutability?
Is it theoretically possible to rewrite the blockchain if enough computing power is controlled?
I’m looking for a more technical explanation of how immutability is enforced across the network, not just a high-level overview.