Final answer:
A digital signature is a cryptographic method that proves ownership and integrity. Bob includes it with his public key in a blockchain transaction to secure and authenticate the transfer to Alice.
Step-by-step explanation:
A digital signature is a cryptographic mechanism that allows an individual to prove ownership and ensure the integrity of a digital document or message, such as a transaction. In the context of blockchain technology, when Bob creates a transaction to send money to Alice, he should include his digital signature along with his public key in the transaction. The digital signature serves multiple purposes:
- It confirms that Bob is the rightful owner of the funds he is attempting to send.
- It provides proof that the transaction has not been tampered with after Bob created it.
- Anyone on the network can verify the transaction's authenticity using Bob's public key.
This ensures the security and trustworthiness of transactions on the blockchain.