Is it possible to forge a digital signature? Everything you need to know about the security of your signature

The possibility of your digital signature being forged is extremely remote, much more than it would be with a conventional signature. However, due to the lack of knowledge about the operation of this technology, it is normal that there is some distrust in some sectors of the population. For that reason, in this article we will explain why the digital signature is secure and difficult to forge when used correctly, Join us!

What is a digital signature?

The digital signature, which is not the same as the digital certificate, is a new technique used to validate the integrity and authenticity of a message, software or document in digital format. This, unlike the traditional signature, is not a name, but two separate “keys” or sequences of characters.

These “keys” are generated through cryptographic technology. That is, through a mathematical algorithm that makes it possible to determine that the element was generated exclusively by the signer and that it is unequivocally linked to the content of the message.

The main characteristic of the digital signature is that it enjoys legal presumption of non-repudiation, which means that when it is affixed to a message it is assumed that the subscriber intended to credit this message and be linked to its content. It also certifies that the content of the message has not been altered since its creation, sending, receipt or storage.

In conclusion, it can be said that the digital signature is a type of qualified or advanced electronic signature. That is, its main purpose is to encrypt a document to ensure greater security.

How secure are digital signatures?

Nowadays, it is possible to affirm that the digital signature is a very secure tool due to its own technological design, which, let us remember, is based on a system of algorithms and cryptographic keys that are asymmetric. In this sense, we can mention the existence of:

  • A public key, which will be recognized by each of the parties involved in the signing process.
  • A private key, unique and non-transferable, known only to the signatory and stored on the signatory’s computer or electronic device.

Thus, when you issue a digital signature, a registration stamp is generated that allows you to verify the validity of the signature and, more importantly, to verify the integrity of the document and that it has not undergone any modification.

That said, this system is in charge of reliably accrediting the following aspects to be mentioned:

  • Authentication: who is the signatory or sender of the message or document being received.
  • Integrity: demonstrates that the document has not been altered after the signature was issued.
  • Non-repudiation: the signatory cannot deny that he/she signed the document or that he/she sent the message in question.

 

You may also be interested in: What is the electronic signature?

 

Digital vs. conventional signature: main differences in terms of security

It is quite normal that you do not ask yourself the question about the security of the conventional signature, the handwritten one. But the reality is that it is much easier to forge than a digital signature. We would be talking about differences such as:

  • Forging a handwritten signature is as simple as imitating strokes of the original model. In fact, there are known cases where even a very faithful imitation was not necessary, since it is known the variability of handwriting and the impossibility of comparing it with a model that serves as a reference.
  • Falsifying the conventional signature may cause immediate perjury to the person who has been impersonated. Therefore, you would have to initiate a process to discredit the usurpation of your identity with all the expenses that this entails.
  • However, to forge a digital signature, the only way would be to access the signer’s private key, which only the signer knows and which is stored in a private device. Therefore, it is important that you do not share your password with anyone and adopt good security practices in your daily life.

In addition to the security offered by this signature, we can add the convenience and speed offered to the signer, as well as the possibility of avoiding unnecessary travel.

So why is forging a digital signature so difficult?

We have already mentioned that the digital signature is composed of a mechanism based on cryptography that makes it almost impossible to forge. But how does this mechanism confer such security? 

Well, to reinforce the security of the signature, it is composed of public and private keys that generate an algorithm. Previously, we told you what each one was about. 

Next, we will tell you about the process of creating a digital signature to better explain why it is so difficult to forge:

  1. The mathematical algorithm creates a private key together with its corresponding public key.
  2. Another algorithm is in charge of creating a digital signature after receiving the private key, as well as the document or message to be signed. This is also encrypted by the same private key.
  3. A third algorithm verifies that the signed document or message is completely authentic.

 

You may also be interested in: Difference between digital certificate and electronic signature

 

7 best practices to increase the security of your digital signature

Although it is a much simpler and straightforward process, the digital signature should be taken with the same seriousness as a conventional signature. Therefore, when you think about signing or sign a document, you can take some preventive measures to increase the security of your signature, such as:

digital signature

  1. Do not write down anywhere or reveal your private key to anyone. Secure it in a place where no one can discover it.
  2. Never ask someone to sign for you, handing over your PIN and card.
  3. Make sure you are familiar with the software used to apply your signature. Make sure it does not communicate with other servers or make copies of the document.
  4. Verify each document that asks you for the password. Signing several documents at the same time is not secure, as you may sign documents you do not know.
  5. If your document is private, make sure you do not use shared media to store it. The signature itself does not offer privacy of information.
  6. If you receive documents that are unsigned and have content that you have already signed, request the original to ensure that there are no changes in the text.
  7. Before signing a document that has other signatures, make sure that the previous signatures are correct.

So, we can finally say no. It is not possible to forge a digital signature. Its security is very high, since it is protected by mathematical algorithms and cryptography that guarantees the integrity and authenticity of the documents you receive or sign yourself.

 

You may also be interested in: What is an advanced electronic signature?

 

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