E-sign

The electronic equivalent of a hand-written signature. There is more to it than just pasting a graphic of your signature into your text document. Electronic signature software binds your signature, or other mark, to a specific document. Just as experts can detect a paper contract that was altered after it was signed, electronic signature software can detect the alteration of an electronically signed file any time in the future. Montreal-based Silanis Technology (www.silanis.com) is a pioneer of such technology. An electronic signature is often confused with a digital signature, because it uses digital signature technology for detection alteration. An electronic signature also requires user authentication such as a digital certificate, smart card or biometric method.