Electronic Signature Vs Digital Signature You need to know

Digital signatures and electronic signatures may seem like the same thing, but there are actually some key differences between the two. Electronic signatures are simply a representation of your signature in an electronic form, while digital signatures are based on complex mathematical algorithms that encrypt and verify the authenticity of your identity. Digital signatures are much more secure than electronic signatures, as they’re nearly impossible to forge.

Electronic signatures can be easily copied and pasted, which makes them far less secure. Additionally, digital signatures allow you to track when a document was signed and by whom, while electronic signatures do not offer this same level of security or tracking ability.

For one, digital signatures are based on a public key infrastructure (PKI), which means they require a third party to verify the signature. Electronic signatures, on the other hand, can be verified without any outside help.

Another big difference is that digital signatures are much more difficult to forge than electronic signatures. That’s because they rely on complex algorithms that create a unique signature for each document. Electronic signatures, on the other hand, can be created with just a few clicks of a mouse.

There are a few key differences between digital signatures and electronic signatures. For one, digital signatures are based on cryptographic technology, which means they provide a higher level of security than electronic signatures. Additionally, digital signatures can be used to verify the identity of the signer, while electronic signatures cannot.

Finally, digital signatures are legally binding in many jurisdictions, while electronic signatures may not be.

Difference between a Digital Signature And an Electronic Signature

When it comes to digital signatures and electronic signatures, there is often confusion about the difference between the two. Both are used to signing documents electronically, but there are some key distinctions that set them apart.

Digital Signature: A digital signature is a type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic methods to ensure the authenticity of the signer and the integrity of the document. A digital signature is generated using a public key/private key pair, which requires a signing certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Once generated, a digital signature cannot be altered or tampered with without invalidating the signature. This makes them extremely secure and ideal for high-value transactions.

Electronic Signature: An electronic signature, on the other hand, is simply an image of your handwritten signature that is placed on an electronically signed document. Unlike digital signatures, electronic signatures are not encrypted and can be easily forged. While they may provide some level of security, they are not as reliable or tamper-proof as digital signatures. An E signature mimics a handwritten signature and has the same legal standing as a handwritten signature. If you sign a contract with a digital signature, you could be held accountable if you break the terms of the agreement, while electronic signatures are not always recognized as such.

It is very important to note that all digital signatures are electronic signatures but all electronic signatures are not digital signatures. Here’s a look at the 11 main differences between digital signatures and electronic signatures:

Electronic Signature	Digital Signature
An E signature mimics a signature the same as the same handwritten signature.	A digital signature is based on public key cryptography or asymmetric cryptography to ensure document integrity, origin identity, and status of electronic documents.
An e-signature depends on trusting the person who signs. while a digital signature authenticates signers’ identities and relies on multiple technologies to create verifiable relationships	A digital signature authenticates signers’ identities and relies on multiple technologies to create verifiable relationships.
An e-signature makes no assumptions about an enterprise’s security, it is a simple implementation.	A digital signature adds layers of security and enables zero trust.
An e-signature suits a one-time agreement. It is used where security is not of much importance as it is easy to copy and forge.	A digital signature better suits teams making multiple agreements. It is used where security matters a lot as it is almost impossible to copy and forge.
An e-signature is usually created by a person and takes less time to create.	A digital signature is created by the system software and takes time and infrastructure to create.
An e-signature may not provide legally binding.	A digital signature is legally more binding and enforceable.
An e-signature is usually free or less costly.	A digital signature usually costs more.
An e-signature may be of four types – basic electronic signature, click-to-sign signature, advanced electronic signature, and qualified signature..	A digital signature may be of two types – Microsoft and Adobe pdf.
An Electronic signature is a generic expression and is broader than a digital signature. All electronic signatures are not digital signatures.	A digital signature is a signature with public-key-based cryptography. All digital signatures are electronic signatures.
An Electronic signature is not usually authorized by the certification authority. So, it may not require any central authority.	A digital signature is also authorized by the government or non-government certification provider authority. A central authority is important here.
An electronic signature requires manual verification.	A digital signature can be verified automatically.

Difference between Digital Signature And Digital Certificate

Digital signatures and digital certificates are both used to verify the identity of a sender. A digital signature is created using a private key, which is known only to the sender. The signature is then appended to the message before it is sent.

The recipient uses the sender’s public key to verify that the signature was indeed created using the private key, and therefore that the message came from the claimed sender. A digital certificate also contains a public key, but it also includes information about the identity of the owner of that key, as well as information about the certificate authority that issued the certificate. When a message is received with a digital certificate attached, the recipient can use the public key in the certificate to verify that it came from someone who possesses the corresponding private key.

In addition, they can check with the issuing authority to confirm that the certificate has not been revoked.

What are the Major Difference between Handwritten Signature And Digital Signature?

There are several major differences between handwritten signatures and digital signatures. Perhaps the most obvious difference is that a handwritten signature is physically created by the person signing their name, while a digital signature is created electronically. This means that a digital signature can be easily duplicated, while a handwritten signature cannot.

Another key difference has to do with how each type of signature is verified. A handwritten signature can be verified by anyone who sees it, simply by comparing it to other examples of the person’s handwriting. By contrast, a digital signature requires special software to verify its authenticity.

This software looks at factors like the signer’s public key, algorithms used, and message digest before determining whether or not the signature is valid. Finally, digital signatures are typically more secure than handwritten signatures since they’re much harder to forge. This is due to the fact that creating an exact replica of someone’s handwriting can be quite difficult, whereas copying a digital signature only requires access to the signer’s private key (which is usually well-protected).

Conclusion

Digital signatures and electronic signatures both refer to the use of technology to authenticate documents. However, there are some key differences between the two. Digital signatures are created using special software that generates a unique code that is then attached to the document.

This signature can only be verified by someone with the same software, making it more secure than an electronic signature. Electronic signatures, on the other hand, are simply a typed name or initials entered into a document. While this can be easily forged, it is still legally binding in most cases.