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DIGITAL SIGNATURES EXPLAINED

How in the world do you formalize an online contract? Do you have to ruin the Zen-like purity of a paperless transaction by printing a contract and then faxing a signature? No, you don't; you can sign it online with the miraculous digital signature. Signatures are tagged with a unique "key" algorithm, and signing is a two-part process of creation and verification. The ABA has attempted to explain this process on their Digital Signature Guidelines page. They've done a thorough, academic job of it, even if it is somewhat dense to read. This is a good source if you want to impress people with your deep understanding of this rather esoteric subject.

Sun, 14 May 2000 13:46:14 -0700

Submitted by: Amy Hackney Blackwell