Clear DefinitionsRing Signature
1 min read
Pronunciation
[ring sig-nuh-cher]
Analogy
Like signing a letter with a group stamp—any member could have signed but you can’t tell who.
Definition
A cryptographic signature scheme where a signer’s identity is hidden among a group (“ring”) of possible signers, providing signer ambiguity.
Key Points Intro
Ring signatures enable privacy via:
Key Points
Anonymity set: Hides signer among ring members.
Unlinkability: Signatures on different messages unlinkable.
No setup: No group manager or prior coordination.
Use in privacy coins: Monero inputs mixing.
Example
Monero uses ring signatures to mix each input with decoy outputs, obscuring the true spender.
Technical Deep Dive
CryptoNote ring signature: for public keys {P_i}, signer uses private key x_j, computes key image I = x_j·Hp(P_j). Constructs signature (I, c_1…c_n, r_1…r_n) satisfying Σ challenge-response equations around ring.
Security Warning
Small ring sizes reduce anonymity; use large enough rings.
Caveat
Ring signature verification cost grows linearly with ring size.
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