How to Get a Digital Signature for Wordperfect

When information is distributed across a non-secure channel a digital signature aids in knowing where the data originates. Digital signatures are typically easy to create and are considered the same as a hand written signature for legal issues. In fact, a digital signature is harder to reproduce then a handwritten signature. Most digital signatures are time stamped so a person sending a document can't say he didn't, because the server would be able to tell when the document was sent.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Digital ID Certificate

1. Purchase or attain a Digital ID (certificate) from a third party vendor. A digital ID certificate, also known as a public key certificate, attaches a secret key to an identity. This allows others to verify that the document came from the correct person. A few of these companies are listed in the "Resources" below. A certificate is required to create a digital signature.

2. Open the WordPerfect application.

3. Click "File" in the top left corner of the application. A drop down menu will appear. Click "Signature," which drops down a submenu, and then click "Sign Document." The Sign Document window will appear

4. Select a digital signature. This is located in the "Sign Document Using" box.

5. Click "View." The Certificate dialog box will appear.

6. Click "Validation" tab. In the Valid method area of the Validation tab are two choices, "Check the certificate authority" and "Check parent certificates." You can choose either of these options as you wish, but they are not necessary to create a certificate. Now you can send documents with a digital signature.

Resources

• Thawte
• Verisign
• Globalsign
• Comodogroup