To buy and sell goods or exchange confidential information over the Internet, you need the ability to send secure transactions. Digital IDs are a way of proving your identity in electronic transactions, similar to showing your driverÆs license when you cash a check. They assure message recipients that the message actually came from you and that it has not been tampered with. Others can use your digital ID to encrypt messages they send to you, and you can use other peopleÆs digital IDs to send them encrypted messages.
A digital ID is composed of a public key, a private key, and a digital signature. The public key enables people to encrypt messages that only you can decrypt with your private key. The digital signature ensures that the message actually came from you, not someone impersonating you.
You obtain a digital ID from a certifying authority's Web site. You can then send the ID to anyone who needs to send you encrypted files and use the same ID for sending messages. Or you can obtain separate IDs for each.