How to Create a Digital Signature
Electronic vs. Digital Signatures: What's the difference and how to create one?
You might hear the terms "electronic signature" and "digital signature" used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different things. 🤯 Understanding the difference is key to ensuring your documents are secure and compliant.
Electronic vs. Digital Signatures 🥊
✍️ Electronic Signature
A broad term referring to any electronic process that indicates acceptance of an agreement. Like a digital version of your handwritten signature.
🔐 Digital Signature
A specific type of e-signature that uses cryptographic technology to verify authenticity. Like a digital "fingerprint" for the document.
How to Create a Digital Signature 🛠️
Creating a digital signature typically involves using a specialized software or service like SignPaw that handles the cryptographic keys in the background.
1. Choose a Trusted Provider 🛡️
To create a valid digital signature, you need a Certificate Authority (CA) or a trusted service provider. SignPaw acts as this trusted intermediary.
2. Verify Your Identity 🆔
For high-security digital signatures, you may need to verify your identity through email, phone, or government ID, depending on the level of assurance required.
3. Sign the Document 📝
When you sign a document with a digital signature tool, the software creates a unique "hash" of the document content and encrypts it with your private key. This is your digital signature.
When to Use Which? 🤔
- ✅Use Electronic Signatures for: Standard contracts, NDAs, offer letters, and internal documents.
- 🔒Use Digital Signatures for: Highly regulated industries, government forms, and documents requiring the highest level of security.
Secure your documents today 🛡️
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