What is a digital certificate?

A digital certificate serves as an electronic document that verifies the ownership of a public key. It is part of a larger framework known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which is used to establish a secure connection between parties using cryptography. The digital certificate contains information such as the identity of the certificate holder, their public key, the issuing Certificate Authority (CA), and the digital signature of the CA, which vouches for the authenticity of the certificate.

The significance of a digital certificate lies in its ability to facilitate secure communications and establish trust in digital transactions. The electronic document proves that the public key contained within it truly belongs to the person or organization it claims to represent, allowing users to confirm identities before sharing sensitive information or engaging in secure transactions.

Understanding this concept is essential for utilizing encryption effectively in securing communications over the internet.