An electronic signature (eSignature) is an electronic indication of an individual’s acceptance of the content of a document. It is an increasingly popular way for people and businesses to electronically sign PDF documents online quickly, securely, and cost-effectively.Â
If you find yourself struggling to sign documents such as contracts, letters of employment, or non disclosure agreements that come in PDF format, Signeasy has got you covered! With electronic signatures, you can sign PDFs online and eliminate the need to print, sign, and scan them.Â
In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about how to electronically sign PDFs online quickly and securely. Keep reading to find out how!
How to electronically sign a PDF? Signing a PDF document electronically is simple, given you have the right tools. Using Signeasy, you can fill and sign a PDF electronically without creating an online account. Here are the steps:
Click ‘Upload File’ or ‘Drag and Drop’ your file into Signeasy. Add your email ID and click ‘Start Signing.’ Draw, type, or upload an image of your signature. Verify your email address with a secret code. Finish electronically signing your PDF and download your PDF instantly. If you want to sign your PDF electronically, click here .
Signature creation tools - Signeasy as an eSignature tool Online signature creation tools create electronic signatures that help users to sign PDF documents digitally. The signature creation tools provide a range of methods (draw, type, or upload an image) to create your eSignature, enabling you to customize your signature according to your requirements.
Once you create an electronic signature , you can easily use it to electronically sign your PDF documents , emails, Word Docs, Excel, PNG, etc.
How to use Signeasy’s signature creation tool to electronically sign a PDF With Signeasy, you can:
Upload your document: Upload or drag and drop documents to Signeasy. We support 25+ formats, including PDF, Word, Excel, PNG, etc.Sign the document for free: You can create your own signature by drawing, typing, or uploading an image of your signature . Share documents quickly and securely: Once you’ve created your signature and signed your document, share it with your circle and track the progress in real-time.Try out Signeasy’s Online Signature Generator for Free!
Advantages of using signature creation tools Online signature creation tools are a great way to create eSignatures that speed up business processes and reduce paperwork. They are easy-to-use and provide several advantages such as
Save time : Create and sign PDF documents in a fraction of the time it would take to do manually. Convenient : Use the online signature creation tools from anywhere using any device. Security : Protect important data from being stolen or misused with high security.Disadvantages of using signature creation tools While signature creation tools allow users to create digital signatures and electronically sign a PDF , (even sign a Word Doc ), they also have some potential drawbacks.Â
Integrations : If you can’t integrate with your workspaces, it’ll add extra steps to your signing process. Security concerns : If necessary measures aren’t taken, using the tool can introduce security risks, such as exposing sensitive information like passwords or account numbers.  Cost : Users might have to pay for specific features to use the service, which can add up over time.Understanding digital signatures for electronically signing PDF documents A digital signature or a web signature is a type of electronic signature that provides a secure, encrypted way to establish one’s identity when sending or receiving digital information. Just like a handwritten signature, it verifies the person who electronically signed the PDF document is the same person who sent it, and that the document’s content hasn’t been changed in transit.
How to use a digital signature to sign a PDF Using a web-based service such as digital signatures to electronically sign a PDF is super simple. Just upload your PDF, create your signature , and place it on the document. You can also fill out the form by adding text, initials, dates, and more. When you’re done, just download the PDF, and you’re good to go!Â
Advantages of using digital signatures By offering users convenience, security, and legally binding agreements, digital signatures are becoming increasingly popular. The top advantages are
Convenience: Digital signatures are a web-based service, making them a great option for busy people. They can be used from any device with an Internet connection and takes only a few minutes. Accessibility : Digital signatures are easy to use, so even those with little technical expertise can access them.Security: Digital signatures are highly secure, encrypted, and tamper-proof, ensuring the document cannot be altered or forged without the signer’s knowledge. Legally binding : Digital signatures follow various regulations and are recognized as legally binding in many countries . Disadvantages of using digital signatures Although digital signatures offer a range of advantages, there are also some potential downsides to consider. The top disadvantages include
Reliance on technology: Digital signatures rely on technology, meaning that if the technology fails, the signature may not be valid. Cost: Digital signatures can be expensive, depending on the provider you choose, the signature type, and the features you need. Complexity: Digital signatures can be complex to set up, meaning they may not be suitable for everyone or every use case.Security and authenticity of eSignatures while signing a PDF document As more and more businesses adopt eSignature in their contract workflows, it’s important to protect the signatory’s identity, data, trust, and legal validity. For this, security measures such as encryption, authentication, SOC2 compliance , and biometrics must be in place.Â
Ensuring secure and authentic signatures helps businesses
guarantee that it is coming from the intended source, ensure that it is valid and can be used as evidence in court, protect data from being accessed by unauthorized parties, establish trust with their customers, and remove manual checks, saving time and resources. Failure to comply results in grave consequences, such as:
Identity theft: eSignature can be forged and used to commit fraud. Data breaches: Bad security practices can lead to sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information (PII) and financial data, falling into the wrong hands.Legal validity: Failure to comply with regional regulations may nullify the contract. How to verify the authenticity of an electronic signature The best way to verify the authenticity of eSignatures is to use a trusted digital signature provider. These providers willÂ
Take steps to ensure the signature’s validity and authenticity. Keep records of the signing process, including date, time, and associated information. Check the signature’s authenticity with the sender’s identity. Tools for verifying and securing electronic signatures Several tools can be used to ensure the validity of the signature, protect the data involved, and meet legal requirements. Here are a few:Â
Digital certificates : An electronic document designed to certify the identity of a user, computer, or organization. These are the most secure way to verify electronic signatures as they use cryptography and encryption to protect the data. Authentication systems : Two-factor authentication, biometric authentication, or other methods are used to verify the signer’s identity.  Audit trail : Recording the time stamps and additional info to validate an eSignature. Encryption : Denies access to unauthorized users. Using a combination of these tools secures electronic signatures and protects them from tampering. Read more about eSignature safety here.
Best practices for electronic signatures security Using eSignatures is an important part of contract workflow for many businesses. To ensure the security and validity of electronic signatures, a few best practices should be followed.Â
Verify electronic signature platform : Ensure the provider is reliable and secure. Look for features like encryption, SOC 2 compliance, and other authentication methods. Set up multi-factor authentication: Require users to provide additional information, such as a code sent to a secure device, to access digital documents. Restrict access: Set up user access levels and assign privileges to allow only authorized users to access the documents and signatures. Utilize a digital audit trail: Track all user activity to provide an additional layer of security. Regularly review security measures: Identify potential weaknesses and update security measures frequently. Electronic signatures for PDF signing eSignatures are the future of document signing . No longer are users stuck with slow and unsecured paper-based signatures. Electronic signatures make it easy to electronically sign pdf documents in a few short steps. Why wait? Use Signeasy’s eSignature software today and experience the ease and peace of mind it brings.
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