# What is a private key? A private key is randomly generated to unlock a string of characters corresponding to a wallet. During transactions, a private key is used to generate the signature necessary for the transaction to prove ownership of the asset. If anyone gets hold of your private key, enters it into a wallet, and sets a password (they do not have to have your original password), they can enter your wallet and have full control over it, compromising your digital assets. Therefore, you must keep your private key safe. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.onto.app/basics/data-management/what-is-a-private-key.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.