This guide is an introduction to digital signatures. It explains how to create and use a digital signature in Adobe using the certificate function. 

What is a digital signature?  It is a type of signature that authenticates your identity and is more secure than a traditional handwritten signature. It looks like this:

Source: https://helpx.adobe.com/sign/using/digital-signatures.html#brThingstoKnow 

As Adobe explains: "A certificate-based signature, like a conventional handwritten signature, identifies the person signing a document. Unlike a handwritten signature, a certificate-based signature is difficult to forge because it contains encrypted information that is unique to the signer. It can be easily verified and informs recipients whether the document was modified after the signer initially signed the document."

There are different levels of security offered by digital signatures. For instance, you can purchase a digital signature for use with financial documents. In this case, we are going to learn how to use a free signature offered by Adobe. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) or another Adobe (paid) product.