It is capable of verification. It is under sole control of the person using it. It is linked to data in such a way that if the data are changed, then the digital signature is invalidated. The use of digital signatures shall be at the option of the parties. It is largely based on the Utah Digital Signature Act.
Electronic signatures cover a broader definition that includes digital signatures.
There is still considerable work to be done and agreements to be reached within industry before security issues for commerce over the Web can be laid to rest. For example, even if certification authorities use the same hash function, encryption algorithms, and digital signature algorithms, there are no standards for exchanging messages between users who use different packages for the cryptography. Standards partially exist, but vendors hope that their standard will become the de facto standard. Progress is being made. The market itself appears to be driving development and acceptance of standards.