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How does a digital signature work?

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Quick answer

A digital signature proves a message or document is genuine and unaltered. The sender signs it using a private key, and anyone can verify it with the matching public key. If the content changes even slightly, the signature no longer checks out.

Step by step

  1. The sender signs data with a secret private key.
  2. Anyone can verify it with the public key.
  3. It proves who sent it and that it's unchanged.
  4. Altering the content invalidates the signature.

People also ask

How does a digital signature work?
The sender signs with a private key; others verify with the public key, confirming authenticity and integrity.
What does a digital signature prove?
That a message genuinely came from the signer and hasn't been altered since signing.
Where are digital signatures used?
Secure email, software updates, legal e-signatures, and blockchain transactions.