Digitalized signature on the Internet?

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize,microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.word.newusers (More info?)

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 20:40:50 -0800, Ant wrote:

> Hello.
>
> I was asked on how to make digital signatures in documents, letters,
> e-mails, etc. I have never done this before nor know where to start. I
> have seen them used in a few PDF forms before.

Are you talking about handwritten signatures or the digital signatures
(http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid...)?

Tablet PCs have helped to make handwritten signatures in digital documents
a more common occurrence. Several companies have programs designed for
capturing signatures and preserving contracts. There are laws to consider.
Not all states and countries accept these as binding. And if they do, the
requirements can vary.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize,microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.word.newusers (More info?)

On 2/15/2005 9:24 PM PT, Sharon F wrote:

>>Hello.
>>
>>I was asked on how to make digital signatures in documents, letters,
>>e-mails, etc. I have never done this before nor know where to start. I
>>have seen them used in a few PDF forms before.
>
> Are you talking about handwritten signatures or the digital signatures
> (http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid...)?

Handwritten signatures like signing paperworks. Not certificate types.


> Tablet PCs have helped to make handwritten signatures in digital documents
> a more common occurrence. Several companies have programs designed for
> capturing signatures and preserving contracts. There are laws to consider.
> Not all states and countries accept these as binding. And if they do, the
> requirements can vary.

What does the client need for this set up and work? I assume Tablet PCs
are not required. Can it be done with a mouse, scanner, etc.? How
difficult is it to do? It is in CA, USA.
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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize,microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.word.newusers (More info?)

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 21:43:36 -0800, Ant wrote:

> What does the client need for this set up and work? I assume Tablet PCs
> are not required. Can it be done with a mouse, scanner, etc.? How
> difficult is it to do? It is in CA, USA.

Input varies: Pen with a tablet PC or a computer that has a graphics tablet
attached to it. Mouse - but these are very hard to write with. Logitech's
io digital pens look like a regular fountain pen but digitally record the
movement. They also have "smart paper."

Here's a link to a company that has several different signature
applications with different levels of security and authentication
http://www.signplus.com/en/products/

If you are seriously considering this for your business or for your
clients, you should check the laws for the geographical areas where
business is conducted and any industry requirements. Local government
offices should have the information available. Another source of info would
be professional associations - a resource group for realtors, for example.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.customize,microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.word.newusers (More info?)

You can scan a handwritten signature to a graphic, and, inserted in Word,
save it as an autotext entry for ease of insertion as required.
Security? *Any* time you write down your signature anyone who has access to
it can copy it in this manner. The only secure solution is never to sign
anything. Forgers have been able to duplicate signatures since people first
started using them.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site http://word.mvps.org
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>





Ant wrote:
> On 2/15/2005 9:24 PM PT, Sharon F wrote:
>
>>> Hello.
>>>
>>> I was asked on how to make digital signatures in documents, letters,
>>> e-mails, etc. I have never done this before nor know where to
>>> start. I
>>> have seen them used in a few PDF forms before.
>>
>> Are you talking about handwritten signatures or the digital
>> signatures
>>
(http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid...
)?
>
> Handwritten signatures like signing paperworks. Not certificate types.
>
>
>> Tablet PCs have helped to make handwritten signatures in digital
>> documents
>> a more common occurrence. Several companies have programs designed
>> for capturing signatures and preserving contracts. There are laws to
>> consider. Not all states and countries accept these as binding. And
>> if they do, the requirements can vary.
>
> What does the client need for this set up and work? I assume Tablet
> PCs
> are not required. Can it be done with a mouse, scanner, etc.? How
> difficult is it to do? It is in CA, USA.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Salut/Hi Ant,

First of all, forgive me for removing the 3 remaining cross posts. I
can't easily cross post replies.

My answer is slightly sideways, as you've already had excellent
advice on scanning signatures and using them.

le/on Tue, 15 Feb 2005 20:40:50 -0800, tu disais/you said:-

>My biggest concern is: How safe is this online the Internet through
>e-mails, Web, etc.? With security, there is always ways to break it.
>Is it easy to hack and foil?

Almost anything can be forged. With scanners and computers, it's
trivial.

However, by thinking laterally, you can see that there's a "computer
age" answer. The signature is designed to show that the message
really IS from the person, right? Well there is a safe way to do
this. Use a progream such as PGP (there's a free version). You can
then distribute your digital signature, to servers world wide, and
then can "digitally sign" any document you send. The recipient can
verify the document as being genuinely from you. The verification
process also confirms that the document is has not been altered in
any way after being signed.

PGP will do many other things, but digital signing is a "good thing".

It comes out as shown here.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGP 8.1 - not licensed for commercial use: www.pgp.com

iQA/AwUBQhMaSPnNJmlQ4205EQK3XACggcRjJozY2rzoU5aJ+uQKp1hBjYUAoJ9I
5R+MCQq82slJ/UacQmJ7Qg7a
=GcV7
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----


--
All the Best
Ian Hoare
http://www.souvigne.com
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