What is a digital signature?
Q: What is a digital signature?
A: A digital signature or digital signature scheme is a type of asymmetric cryptography used to verify the authenticity of messages sent through an insecure channel.
Q: How do digital signatures compare to traditional handwritten signatures?
A: Properly implemented digital signatures are more difficult to copy than the handwritten type, and they provide acknowledgement that the signer cannot successfully claim they did not sign a message while also claiming their private key remains secret.
Q: Are electronic signatures and digital signatures the same thing?
A: No, electronic signatures refer to any electronic data that holds a meaning of a signature, but not all electronic signatures use digital signatures.
Q: Is there legal significance for electronic or digital signatures in India?
A: Electronic signatures do not have any legal significance in India, however Digital Signatures do have legal validity as per the Information Technology Act 2000.
Q: What is Digital Signing Certificate (DSC)?
A: Digital Signing Certificate (DSC) is widely used in India for e-filing business related documents and income tax return filing etc.
Q: In which countries are digital signature regularly used?
A: Digital Signatures are regularly used in USA, European countries and India in government as well as private offices.
