Basic HTML version of Foils prepared April 7 1998

Foil 92 Java Digital Signatures-1

From Basic Principles of Java and Internet Security CPS616 Web Technologies -- Spring 98. by Geoffrey C. Fox


Java Security Package comes with DSA (Digital Signature Algorithm) including following three algorithms:
  • To generate a key pair, by KeyPairGenerator class
  • To sign a message, by Signature class
  • To verify a signature, by Signature class
A message digest , fingerprint, of an applet provides to check whether the applet is altered or not. If altered applet, then the finger print will not match. However, both can be intercepted. It is easy for an attacker to modify the applet and prepare new fingerprint for it.
Java Digital Signatures are used to authenticate an applet in this situation. Using public key cryptography, based on public and private keys, decrypting information can be released to public (via public key), but not the encrypting capability (such as private key).



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