# What is a Decentralized Identifier (DID)?
A Decentralized Identifier (DID) is an identifier that allows users to control their own digital identity. It uses public-key cryptography, so the identifier can be used as proof of ownership and authenticity without relying on any centralized entity or third party. DIDs are typically stored in a distributed ledger such as a blockchain and are associated with metadata that describes the originator, usage instructions, expiration dates, etc. The goal of DIDs is to create an interoperable ecosystem for self-sovereign identity management where individuals have full control over their personal data and its use.
# Benefits of Using a Decentralized Identifier (DID)
Using decentralized identifiers offers several advantages:
•Security: By using public key cryptography, DIDs provide superior security compared to traditional methods like passwords or usernames/emails since they cannot be guessed or stolen by malicious actors.
• Privacy: By decentralizing the storage of identifying information it ensures greater privacy for users since no single organization holds all user data in one place. This makes it harder for hackers to access large amounts of sensitive information at once.
• Interoperability: Since DIDs are built on open standards they allow different services and applications to communicate with each other in order to authenticate users or share data securely without having to write custom integration code between them. This makes it easier for developers to build secure systems quickly while also allowing end users more freedom when choosing which services they want to use online.
