Digital signatures are a type of electronic signature that uses cryptographic techniques to verify the authenticity and integrity of a digital document or message. A digital signature is created using a private key that is unique to the signer and can only be decrypted with a corresponding public key. This allows the recipient of the document to verify that it has not been altered and was indeed signed by the intended sender. Digital signatures are commonly used in electronic transactions, contracts, and other documents that require authentication and security.