What are the potential pitfalls of using a hidden number/letter combination script to detect website tampering in PHP?

Potential pitfalls of using a hidden number/letter combination script to detect website tampering in PHP include the risk of the script being discovered and manipulated by attackers, leading to false positives or negatives in detecting tampering. Additionally, maintaining and updating the hidden combination can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

// Instead of relying solely on a hidden number/letter combination script, consider implementing a more robust website tampering detection mechanism using checksums or digital signatures.
// This will provide a more secure and reliable way to detect any unauthorized changes to the website.

// Example of using checksum to detect tampering
$expected_checksum = 'abc123'; // Calculate this checksum based on the website files
$actual_checksum = md5_file('index.php'); // Calculate the checksum of the current file

if ($expected_checksum !== $actual_checksum) {
    // Tampering detected, take appropriate action
    echo 'Website has been tampered with!';
} else {
    // Website is intact
    echo 'Website is secure.';
}