How does a signed message work?

[ReigningPigs]

I see a lot of members on the forums signing messages and signing their BTC addresses what does it mean and how does it work?

[achow101]

Signing messages proves that the message you signed was not altered in any way and it proves that you own the private key to the public key to signed the message.

Here is a guide on how to sign messages: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=990345.0

[Velkro]

This guide above pretty much says it all, but i will add that signing works through PGP encryption. You could learn about that because u can sign message without bitcoin involvement at all.

[relq]

I see a lot of members on the forums signing messages and signing their BTC addresses what does it mean and how does it work?

Signing messages used for proves that it's your own. not anyone else that hack or not have your id. it's important because sign message same like password.

[3Coins]

This guide above pretty much says it all, but i will add that signing works through PGP encryption. You could learn about that because u can sign message without bitcoin involvement at all.

Can you post a link where PGP encryption is being discussed like the thread created by Shorena

[shorena]

This guide above pretty much says it all, but i will add that signing works through PGP encryption. You could learn about that because u can sign message without bitcoin involvement at all.

Can you post a link where PGP encryption is being discussed like the thread created by Shorena

There is no such thread yet. I was asked several times to create something similar for PGP, but I have not done anything yet. Maybe velkro wants to create a PGP how to? I dont know.

[ReigningPigs]

Signing messages proves that the message you signed was not altered in any way and it proves that you own the private key to the public key to signed the message.

Here is a guide on how to sign messages: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=990345.0

If you sign your Bitcoin address will you be exposing your private key?

[achow101]

Signing messages proves that the message you signed was not altered in any way and it proves that you own the private key to the public key to signed the message.

Here is a guide on how to sign messages: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=990345.0

If you sign your Bitcoin address will you be exposing your private key?

No. You will expose your public key, but that is already meant to be exposed (hence the public). The public key is also exposed when transactions are signed (transactions are signed in the exact same way that messages are signed).

[tommypug]

Signing messages proves that the message you signed was not altered in any way and it proves that you own the private key to the public key to signed the message.

Here is a guide on how to sign messages: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=990345.0

If you sign your Bitcoin address will you be exposing your private key?

No. You will expose your public key, but that is already meant to be exposed (hence the public). The public key is also exposed when transactions are signed (transactions are signed in the exact same way that messages are signed).

Was just about to ask that, thanks for the info.