Electronic signature" is a legal or juridical term. It refers to data linked to electronic information that identifies the signer. In practical terms, it is similar to a handwritten signature on paper. The legal framework for electronic signatures has been summarized under the eIDAS Regulation. With an electronic signature, however, it is not always possible to verify whether the person actually signed the document or whether the signature may have been forged. Documents could also have been manipulated or changed without this being traceable. Digital signatures offer additional security in this respect because, unlike electronic signatures, they contain an encrypted hash value. In addition, the person signing can be authenticated beyond doubt, making them equivalent to a notarized handwritten signature.