What is the purpose of a "digital signature"?
2025
What is the purpose of a "digital signature"?
- A.
To encrypt sensitive data
- B.
To filter network traffic
- C.
To verify the authenticity and integrity of a digital document
- D.
To prevent unauthorized access to a network
Attempted by 2 students.
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Correct answer: C
Answer: To verify the authenticity and integrity of a digital document.
Explanation: A digital signature allows recipients to confirm who signed a document and that the document has not been altered since signing.
Create a unique hash of the document content.
Sign the hash with the signer's private key to produce the digital signature.
Anyone with the signer's public key can verify the signature and compare hashes to detect any changes.
Note: Digital signatures provide authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation. They do not by themselves encrypt the document to provide confidentiality.