Basic concept of cryptographic signatures

"Electronic signature" may sometimes mistakenly be used to refer to cryptographic signatures: a piece of data included with a message that uses cryptographic methods to assure, at the least, both message integrity and authenticity. Cryptographic signatures are themselves a common feature of many larger systems or standards for electronically "signing" a message or contract.
Another common term for cryptographic signature is digital signature; the similarity of the term to "electronic signature" can invite confusion, which is why for this article cryptographic is used.

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