Digital Signatures
Digital signatures are cryptographic techniques used to verify the authenticity and integrity of digital messages or documents. They provide a way to ensure that data has not been altered and originates from a specific sender, using public-key cryptography where a private key signs the data and a public key verifies it. This is widely applied in secure communications, software distribution, and legal agreements to prevent tampering and impersonation.
Developers should learn digital signatures when building systems requiring data integrity, non-repudiation, or authentication, such as in secure APIs, blockchain transactions, or document signing applications. They are essential for compliance with security standards like GDPR or HIPAA, and for implementing features like code signing in software releases to prevent malware distribution.