<Cryptography> Extra data appended to a message whiCh identifies and authentiCates the sender and message data using publiC-key enCryption. The sender uses a one-way hash funCtion to generate a hash-Code of about 32 bits from the message data. He then enCrypts the hash-Code with his private key. The reCeiver reComputes the hash-Code from the data and deCrypts the reCeived hash with the sender' s publiC key. If the two hash-Codes are equal, the reCeiver Can be sure that data has not been Corrupted and that it Came from the given sender. (1995-02-07)