What is the role of a digital signature?

A digital signature plays a crucial role in the realm of cybersecurity and data integrity by providing a means to verify both the authenticity and integrity of a message or document. This technology uses cryptographic algorithms to create a unique hash of the document. When a sender applies their private key to the hash, it generates a digital signature that can be attached to the document.

When the recipient receives the document, they can use the sender's public key to decrypt the signature. This process allows the recipient to confirm two key aspects:

1. Authenticity: The recipient can verify that the signature was created by the legitimate sender, ensuring that the document was not altered or sent by an impersonator.

2. Integrity: By checking the hash, the recipient can determine if the document has been changed in any way since it was signed because any alteration would result in a different hash value.

Thus, the digital signature acts as a fundamental security mechanism in various applications, including software distribution, financial transactions, and legally binding documents, to ensure that both parties can trust the contents of the communication.

The other choices revolve around different functionalities unrelated to what a digital signature specifically provides, such as file compression, data transfer speed, or access control, none of which capture