In today’s digital age, the traditional concept of a wet signature on a contract is becoming increasingly obsolete in Australia. With the rise of technology, many signatures can now be easily replicated and forged, making them unreliable as a means of verifying the authenticity of a document.
One of the main issues with signatures is that they can be easily copied and pasted from one document to another. With the proliferation of online signature generators and image editing software, it is now possible for anyone to create a convincing replica of a signature without the person’s knowledge or consent.
Additionally, with the ease of access to personal information on the internet, it is now possible for individuals to find and use someone else’s signature without their knowledge. This can lead to fraud and other illegal activities, making it difficult for businesses and individuals to trust the authenticity of a signature.
Another concern is that there is currently no reliable way to verify that a signature on a contract is genuine. Traditional methods of signature verification, such as handwriting analysis and signature comparison, are becoming less reliable in the face of technology advances. This means that even if a signature appears to be genuine, there is no guarantee that it is authentic.
In light of these issues, it is important for businesses and individuals in Australia to consider alternative methods of verifying the authenticity of a document. Electronic signatures, for example, can be verified through the use of secure digital certificates and encryption, providing a more reliable means of authenticating a document.
Overall, the traditional concept of a signature on a contract is becoming less reliable in the face of technology advances, and alternative methods such as electronic signatures should be considered to ensure the authenticity and security of a document.
An example, a bad actor could steal a Covid-19 sign-in register containing personal information of individuals who have visited a certain location. Using this information, the bad actor could then use the dark web to source identification documents, such as driver’s licenses or passport, to match the names on the sign-in register. With these fake identification documents, the bad actor could then change the bank details and make a withdrawal from the individual’s super fund.