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An electronic signature is a digital representation of a person's intent to agree to or authenticate the contents of a document or transaction. It can take various forms, such as a scanned image of a handwritten signature, a digital image of a signature, a typed name, or a unique symbol or code. The purpose of an electronic signature is to provide a secure and legally binding way to sign documents electronically, eliminating the need for physical signatures on paper documents.

A digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that offers an additional layer of security and integrity. Unlike a regular electronic signature, which focuses on the intent to sign, a digital signature uses cryptographic technology to bind the signature to the document and verify its authenticity. It ensures that the document has not been altered since the signature was applied and that the signer's identity can be verified.

A document signing certificate, also known as a digital certificate or an identity certificate, is a digital credential issued by a trusted third-party certification authority (CA). It is used to verify the authenticity and integrity of digital documents, including electronic and digital signatures. The certificate contains information about the certificate holder, such as their name, organization, and a public key, which is used for cryptographic operations.

With a document signing certificate, you can sign a wide range of electronic documents, including contracts, agreements, legal forms, invoices, reports, and other types of digital content. The certificate ensures that your digital signature is securely attached to the document, providing evidence of its authenticity and integrity.

No, a digital signature and an electronic signature are not the same, although the terms are often used interchangeably. An electronic signature is a broad concept that encompasses various methods of digitally indicating consent or agreement. On the other hand, a digital signature is a specific type of electronic signature that employs cryptographic techniques to verify the integrity and authenticity of a document or message.

Yes, in many jurisdictions, digital signatures are legally recognized and enforceable. Different countries have adopted legislation and regulations, such as the United States' Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) and the European Union's eIDAS Regulation, to establish the legal validity of digital signatures and electronic transactions. These laws recognize the reliability and security of digital signatures, making them legally binding in many situations.

To view information about a digital signature in Adobe Acrobat, you can follow these steps:

• Open the PDF document with the digital signature in Adobe Acrobat.
• Click on the "Signature" panel or the "Certificates" panel on the left side of the application window.
• You should see a list of signatures in the panel. Select the signature you want to view information for.
• Right-click on the selected signature and choose "Signature Properties" or "Certificate Properties" from the context menu.
• A dialog box will appear displaying detailed information about the digital signature, including the signer's identity, certificate details, and any timestamps or certifications associated with the signature.

The process of viewing information about a digital signature in Microsoft Word may vary depending on the version of Word you are using. In general, you can follow these steps:

• Open the Word document with the digital signature.
• Click on the digital signature to select it.
• Look for a "Signature Details" or "Signature Properties" option, typically available in a context menu when you right-click on the signature.
• Click on the appropriate option to view the information associated with the digital signature.
• A dialog box or a sidebar will display the details of the signature, including the signer's identity, certificate information, and any timestamps or certifications.

The Adobe Approved Trust List (AATL) is a list of trusted certification authorities (CAs) maintained by Adobe Systems. These CAs have been audited and verified by Adobe to meet specific security and reliability standards for issuing digital certificates. When a digital certificate is issued by a CA included in the AATL, Adobe Acrobat and Reader automatically trust the certificate without the need for additional manual validation. This helps streamline the validation process and enhances the user experience when working with digitally signed documents in Adobe products.