Back to the Top . One of the most obvious and most common security problems with digital signatures is the human error factor. Digital signature technology has several points at which human error can create problems. The security of private keys is paramount. If a private key is lost, stolen, or shared with someone other than its owner, then that private key is no longer a reliable factor in the creation of digital signatures.
Human error can also be a problem for digital certificates.
Inevitably, someone will type in a name or word incorrectly, and the resulting certificate will be questionable. Human error can be either intentional or unintentional in nature. People give their personal passwords to friends and family. People log into computers and then walk away, leaving the terminal unattended. People abuse their privileges and access forbidden information.