A digital signature is an electronic stamp with encryption and authentication in various types of electronic information, such as emails or electronic documents. The digital signature acts as confirmation that the information was received from the signatory and did not change.
How to add a digital signature with DigiSigner?
To add a digital signature to a document, you can use the DigiSigner service. It works on advanced data encryption and information privacy.
To start working with the service, log in using email. After that, a personal account opens. Follow this algorithm to sign with your digital signature:
- Download the document from the device with the Upload button or click Get from cloud to download from Dropbox or Google Drive;
- Wait for the download in the list in your account, and then click Sign;
- On the page that opens, click on the site where you need a digital signature;
- Click the left mouse button and select a digital signature format: painting with a mouse or touchpad, loading a scan, a snapshot on a webcam or a text box;
- Set the position and size of the signature in the document;
- Click Done in the upper right corner.
Signed appears in your account under this document. Your digital signature can no longer be removed. If you first want to send other participants for signing, click on Send for signing. After that, the document will return to you in the folder “Waiting for me.”
If you need to frequently use a digital signature, use available templates in the service, this will save time when signing up. Enter your full name, title, and other data that are repeated, and then add a digitally signed template with one click to any document.
How to create a digital signature?
To create a digital signature, you need to have a certificate that confirms your identity. When you send a macro or digitally signed document, you also send this certificate and the public encryption key. The certificate is issued by the Certification Center and has several types. Its validity is a year, after which the owner must renew it or get a new one.
A certification authority is a notary-like entity. He issues a digital certificate, signs it for verification of validity, and tracks revoked certificates and their statute of limitations.
What does a digital signature guarantee?
A digital signature gives signatories several guarantees:
- Authenticity – the identity of the signer is confirmed by authentication;
- Integrity – the contents have not changed since the digital signature was established;
- Reliability – proves any of the parties the origin of the document, prevents the signer from being denied responsibility for the signed data.
For a digital signature to have the full force, the signer must follow these requirements:
- The digital signature has not expired at the time of signing;
- The certificate associated with the signature is valid;
- The signer or organization is trusted as the publisher;
- The certificate associated with a digital signature issued by a reputable certificate authority.
If all these requirements are met, the digital signature is considered valid.
How to get a digital signature?
A digital signature certificate is a secured digital key that identifies the owner’s identity issued by the Certifying Authority. Many companies provide such services. You can apply on the websites of these companies or buy a signature from the local government.
Types of certificates that you can order depending on the kind of use and personality:
- Class I – for individuals to verify identification information by e-mail when the risk is small, and the signature is stored in the software.
- Class II – for commercial organizations or individuals to verify the information provided in the application, based on the database and in situations where the risk of information leakage is moderate.
- Class III – issued directly by the certifying authority, mandatory requirement – the person must be present at the time of issue and confirm his identity, a cryptographic device is used for storage.