Consider the following statements:
A digital signature is
1. an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it
2. used to serve as a proof of identity of an individual to access information or server on Internet
3. an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

Official UPSC Civil Services Exam 2019 Prelims Part A

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 3, i.e 3 only.

Digital Signature -

It is an electronic signature that ensures that an electronic document is authentic.
A digital signature is not a record rather it provides authentication of the record.
A digital certificate is an electronic record that identifies the certifying authority issuing it. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Certificates serve as a proof of identity of an individual for a certain purpose. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
It is an electronic method of signing an electronic document and ensuring that the original content is unchanged. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Digital signatures are easily transportable and cannot be imitated by someone else.