What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution is specifically designed to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. It establishes the right to be secure in one's person, house, papers, and effects, meaning that law enforcement cannot search or seize property without a warrant that is supported by probable cause. This protection is fundamental to maintaining personal privacy and limits the power of the government in investigating and enforcing the law. This amendment requires that warrants be judicially sanctioned and specific in describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized, thereby providing a critical safeguard against arbitrary intrusion by authorities.