Digital or electronic signatures are often used as security measures when dealing with electronic contracts or other forms of electronic commerce. Electronic signatures can assure the authenticity of data sent over the Internet, as well as the identity of the sender. Many businesses as well as private individuals use an electronic signature service to transmit documents. An electronic signature service provides users with legal electronic signatures, often saving a person valuable time. Instead of waiting for a hard copy contract to be mailed or faxed, signed, then mailed back, electronic signature contracts often take just a quick click or two to validate, cutting out wasted time spent waiting on hard copy contracts. Electronic signature services also offer digital encryption, which is an added layer of protection and safety. Digital encryption makes an electronic signature difficult to fake. Since the E-Sign Act of 2000 gave digital contracts the same legal standing as hard copy contrasts, the use of electronic signature services for contracts and other forms of e-commerce has increased dramatically.