A cryptographic signature is a method used to validate the authenticity and integrity of a message or transaction in a network. It involves a unique digital fingerprint generated from the content of the data being signed and the signer’s private key.When a user wants to send a transaction, they create a hash of the transaction details. This hash is then encrypted using the user’s private key, resulting in the signature. The sender shares the signed transaction along with the corresponding public key.Others in the network can verify the signature by decrypting it with the public key to retrieve the hash. They then independently create a hash of the received transaction details. If both hashes match, it confirms that the transaction was created by the holder of the private key and hasn’t been altered during transmission.This mechanism ensures security, as only the private key owner can create a valid signature, while the public key allows anyone to verify it. This process enhances trust within the system, making it a crucial component of secure transactions.