The use of PDF documents is increasing rapidly among contemporary entrepreneurs. It is a convenient way to send files that can be edited easily without compromising the content.
Digital signatures are a great way to ensure that the content of a file has not been altered. They are also much more reliable than paper-based signatures and harder to forge.
Convenience
Digital signatures can help businesses reduce costs by eliminating the need to print and resend documents that need to be signed, often done using pen and paper. It also allows quicker processing times since signers can easily submit electronic signatures from their computers or mobile devices. This can also help organizations reduce paper usage, which can have positive environmental effects.
Adding a digital signature to PDF files is relatively straightforward. But how to electronically sign a PDF? The first step is to acquire a digital certificate from a trusted certificate authority, and this can be done either via an online self-sign service or with an advanced document management solution that supports the process. Once the document has been digitally signed, it can be shared with other parties securely and reliably.
Many leading PDF editors have digital signature and document security features that anyone, including individuals and small business owners, can use. Some of these tools can even verify the identity of signers using the certificate above authorities and ensure that tampering with the signed document will be impossible. These features can significantly reduce the risks of fraud, identity theft, and data leaks while offering other benefits, such as legal compliance, efficiency, convenience, and remote work capabilities.
Increased Security
Adding an electronic signature to PDF files increases document security and reduces the risk of lost or stolen documents. This is because e-signatures are legally binding and compliant with international e-signature laws. Additionally, e-signatures eliminate the need for printing and scanning paper documents and save businesses valuable time and resources.
Unlike physical signatures, digital signatures are encrypted and secured within the PDF file, making them more secure and difficult to alter. Digital signatures use a public and private key to verify signers’ identity, ensuring that only the intended party can access the information contained within the document. Additionally, a digital certificate authenticates the document and confirms that it has not been tampered with since its application.
Most PDF editors provide security features that increase the security of digitally signed documents. These include password protection, which safeguards documents against unauthorized viewing and allows users to select complex passwords that are difficult to guess; encryption, which locks the content of PDF documents and restricts access to authorized parties; and metadata removal, which removes information from PDF files that reveal their authors, creation dates, and editing history.
In addition to these features, a digital signature solution should make it easy for business users to apply their signatures to PDF documents. This should be accomplished through an intuitive interface that eliminates the need for technical expertise and makes applying and customizing a signature simple.
Convenience for the Signer
In an era where commerce moves quicker than ever, the need to sign documents is increasingly essential. Digital and electronic signatures are quick, easy, and secure ways to sign documents online. They’re especially useful for businesses and individuals who must sign multiple documents simultaneously.
A digital signature shows that you’re the document author and enables you to verify that the contents of a document haven’t been altered. It also eliminates the need to print and mail the document, reducing your environmental impact. A digital signature can be added to any PDF document using various methods. You can either type your signature, use a picture of your handwritten signature, or upload a PDF that another person has digitally signed.
Once a digital signature is added to a PDF, it will be locked to prevent further modifications. However, some tools can unlock the PDF for editing, allowing you to edit, convert, and organize your files at your convenience. One of these is UPDF, which has a free trial version and is compatible with Windows and Mac.
Convenience for the Reader
Whether you’re a freelancer looking for a contract or an employee searching for an employment agreement, it’s not uncommon to receive documents that require your signature. Traditionally, you’d print the document, sign it, then scan and send it back. This labour-intensive process can be made easier with a digital signature.
In the future, we will likely see more documents that must be signed online rather than physically. PDFs are a great format because you can easily apply a digital signature. A digital signature also helps protect the file’s integrity, as it’s impossible to fake or alter.
To add a digital signature to a PDF, open it in Adobe Acrobat Reader and select Fill & Sign from the Tools panel on the right side of the page. This opens a popup with Type, Draw, and Image options. Select the one that best suits your needs. You can then drag, resize, and position the signature inside the document.
