Timestomping

Primary definition

a technique used in cybersecurity and digital forensics, where attackers modify the timestamps of files and directories on a computer system to hide their actions or impede investigations

Also known astimestamp manipulation · timestamp forging · timestamp spoofing · file timestamp modification · MAC time manipulation · MACE time manipulation · timestomp
1 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
NICCS GlossaryView source

Understand more election terms clearly

Get one important election term explained each week, with authoritative sources, practical context and related definitions.

Free. One useful email each week. Unsubscribe anytime.Learn more about the ESG newsletter →
NICCS

a technique used in cybersecurity and digital forensics, where attackers modify the timestamps of files and directories on a computer system to hide their actions or impede investigations

NICCS Glossary · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Timestomping. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 22, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/timestomping

Sources

1 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026

01

NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary

Single-source

View source

Get the weekly election term

Receive one cited, source-backed election explanation in your inbox each week.

Get election terms explained weekly →
Free · Nonpartisan · Unsubscribe anytime.
Continue Research

Keep going from here

Three ways to go deeper on cybersecurity and adjacent terminology.