Explain the process of generating a digital signature. What are its benefits ?

Digital signatures are based on public key cryptography. A private key is used to create a digital signature and the public key is used to verify the digital signature. The Hash value of a message when encrypted with the private key of a person is his digital signature on that e-Document. The Digital Signature of a person therefore, varies from document to document, thus, ensuring authenticity of each word in that document. As the public key of the signer is known, anybody can verify the message and the digital signature. The Figure 1 shows the process of creating a digital signature. The hash function is applied to the plain text which is further encrypted with the private key of a sender for creating a digital signature.

Uses of Digital Signature

•  Contracts: The next time you purchase a car, a home,or an insurance policy, you
maynever need to meet with an agent orsales representative. You maybe able to
review and sign all documents online, and save securebackup copies to your own
disk.
•  Checks and money orders:Buying online is now easywith a credit card, but
digital checks or moneyorders (authenticated bysecure digital signatures) maybe
preferable for some transactions, especially when you don’twant to face a large
credit card bill.
•  Lettersand memos:Businesses already transmit manyletters and memos online,
especiallythose that are only distributed internally. Butwhen a letter or memo
needs the weight of a manager’s signature, it must be printed, signed, duplicated,
and distributedmanuallyorthrough the mail. Digital signatures will save
companies the timeand expense of this manual process.
•  Approvals:Many kinds of documents are collaborative works, such as legal
briefs, contracts, reports, and others. Using digital signatures, people can
collaborate on documents online and approve final drafts, before/prior to releasing
themfor use.

Benefits of Digital Signature

1. It is simple to use. 

2. It is content dependent. 

3. It is very easy to verify without having any need for any expert. 

4. You can verify Authenticity, integrity, non-repudiation. 

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