Which of the following is a key advantage of digital signatures?

Digital signatures are cryptographic techniques used to verify the authenticity and integrity of digital messages or documents. They use asymmetric encryption, where the sender’s private key generates the signature, and the recipient uses the sender’s public key to verify it. This ensures that the message has not been altered (integrity) and confirms the identity of the sender (authenticity). Digital signatures are widely used in securing emails, legal documents, and software distributions. They are an essential part of protocols like SSL/TLS, enabling secure communication over the internet. For instance, in online banking, digital signatures ensure that transactions originate from the legitimate account holder. Why Other Options Are Incorrect :

1. Provides confidentiality of the data being transmitted : Confidentiality is achieved through encryption, not digital signatures.
2. Encrypts data using symmetric encryption : Digital signatures use asymmetric encryption, not symmetric encryption.
3. Eliminates the need for public key infrastructure (PKI) : Digital signatures depend on PKI to manage public and private keys.
4. Prevents denial-of-service attacks on servers : Digital signatures are not designed to address DoS attacks; they focus on authenticity and integrity.