Legal Definitions - digital certificate

A digital certificate is a computer-based record that identifies the certifying authority and the subscriber who was issued a digital signature for electronically transmitted documents. It provides the person's public key for decrypting the digital signature.

For example, when you visit a website that has a digital certificate, your browser will verify that the certificate was issued by a trusted authority and that the website is who it claims to be. This helps to ensure that your personal information, such as your credit card number, is kept secure.

Subscribers register with certification authorities to obtain digital signatures. Certificates may include additional information, such as issuance and expiration dates, and recommended reliance limits for transactions relying on the certificate. The certificate also serves as an electronic notarization when attached to an electronic document by the sender.

Overall, digital certificates are important for ensuring the security and authenticity of electronic transactions and communications.