Digital Signatures
Wikipedia provides the following definition of “digital signatures”:
“A digital signature or digital signature scheme is a mathematical scheme for demonstrating the authenticity of a digital message or document. A valid digital signature gives a recipient reason to believe that the message was created by a known sender, and that it was not altered in transit. Digital signatures are commonly used for software distribution, financial transactions, and in other cases where it is important to detect forgery and tampering.”
So, when sending an email, there are three main reasons to use a digital signature and/or encryption:
- AUTHENTICATION: to prove that the message and attachments actually came from you
- PRIVACY: to ensure that the message and attachments may only be read by the intended recipients
- INTEGRITY: no one can alter the contents of your mail without the recipient being alerted
Email Security with Free Secure Email Certificates
Comodo’s Free Email certificates allow you to use the digitally sign and encrypt features built into your personal email client to authenticate and secure your email communications. This allows recipients of your emails to confirm your identity and ensure that the email you sent was not modified during transmission. It is also simple to fully encrypt your communications to prevent unauthorized viewing.
Education
NSPE Web Seminar: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Implementing Digital Signatures – February 4, 2010, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. (E.S.T.) “To reduce time consuming and expensive paper-based processes, electronic documents are increasingly used in engineering business procedures, from bidding and design through project completion. However, engineers preparing to sign electronic documentation are often forced to reintroduce paper into the workflow, once again extending project schedules and increasing costs. 1 PDH.”
