Complete the blanks. When using PKI, I digitally sign a message using my key. The recipient verifies my signature using my key.

The correct answer is A. Private / Public. In PKI-based digital signatures, you sign a message using your PRIVATE key, and the recipient verifies the signature using your PUBLIC key. This works because only you possess your private key, so a valid signature proves the message originated from you (non-repudiation). Anyone

Submitted by neha2k· Apr 18, 2026Cryptography

Question

Complete the blanks. When using PKI, I digitally sign a message using my ______ key. The recipient verifies my signature using my ______ key.

Exhibits

Options

APrivate / Public
BPublic / Private
CSymmetric / Asymmetric
DPrivate / Symmetric

How the community answered

(53 responses)

A
89% (47)
B
4% (2)
C
2% (1)
D
6% (3)

Explanation

In PKI-based digital signatures, you sign a message using your PRIVATE key, and the recipient verifies the signature using your PUBLIC key. This works because only you possess your private key, so a valid signature proves the message originated from you (non-repudiation). Anyone with your public key can verify the signature. This is the reverse of encryption: for encryption, the sender encrypts with the recipient's PUBLIC key, and the recipient decrypts with their PRIVATE key. Confusing these two operations is a common exam trap.

Topics

#Digital Signatures#PKI#Asymmetric Cryptography

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