DigitalSignaturen

Digital signatures are electronic equivalents of traditional handwritten signatures, used to verify the authenticity and integrity of digital documents or messages. They ensure that the content has not been altered and confirm the identity of the sender. Digital signatures are based on cryptographic techniques, typically involving a pair of keys: a private key, known only to the sender, and a public key, which can be shared openly.

The process of creating a digital signature involves hashing the document to produce a fixed-size string of bytes, which is then encrypted with the sender's private key. This encrypted hash, along with the sender's public key, is attached to the document as the digital signature. To verify the signature, the recipient uses the sender's public key to decrypt the hash and compares it to a newly computed hash of the received document. If the hashes match, the signature is valid, confirming the document's integrity and the sender's identity.

Digital signatures are widely used in various applications, including secure email communication, software distribution, and online transactions. They provide a legal equivalent to handwritten signatures, making them suitable for official documents and contracts. The use of digital signatures helps prevent tampering, forgery, and unauthorized access, enhancing the security and trustworthiness of digital communications.