What types of keys are used in a digital signature?
A digital signature is created with the sender’s private key. The recipient verifies the digital signature using the sender’s public key. Although both keys are mathematically connected with each other it is practically mathematically impossible to calculate the other key using one of the two keys. In other words, it is safe to give the public key to anyone who wants to communicate with you but it is vital to keep the private key safe and hidden. Practical use of a certificate How a certificate can be used differs per supplier. GlobalSign delivers so-called ‘software certificates’. They are delivered in the form of an encrypted computer file allowing it to be easily used in a computer application. Its use is linked to a password that is chosen by the user when applying for the certificate. Isabel only delivers the certificates via a chip card. This means that a small card reader, which is linked to the PC, is required to use the certificate. And with every signature a PIN code needs to
