A software protection dongle (commonly known as a dongle or key) is an electronic copy protection and content protection device. When connected to a computer or other electronics, they unlock software functionality or decode content.[1] The hardware key is programmed with a product key or other cryptographic protection mechanism and functions via an electrical connector to an external bus of the computer or appliance.[2]
In cases such as prepress and printing software, the dongle is encoded with a specific, per-user license key, which enables particular features in the target application. This is a form of tightly controlled licensing, which allows the vendor to engage in vendor lock-in and charge more than it would otherwise for the product. An example is the way Kodak licenses Prinergy to customers: When a computer-to-plate output device is sold to a customer, Prinergy's own license cost is provided separately to the customer, and the base price contains little more than the required licenses to output work to the device.
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Some software developers use traditional USB flash drives as software license dongles that contain hardware serial numbers in conjunction with the stored device ID strings, which are generally not easily changed by an end-user. A developer can also use the dongle to store user settings or even a complete "portable" version of the application. Not all flash drives are suitable for this use, as not all manufacturers install unique serial numbers into their devices.
A more innovative modern dongle is designed with a code porting process which transfers encrypted parts of the software vendor's program code or license enforcement into a secure hardware environment (such as in a smart card OS, mentioned above). An ISV can port thousands of lines of important computer program code into the dongle.[citation needed]
A hardware dongle is a small, portable device that interfaces with a laptop or desktop computer, typically with the Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. Sometimes resembling a flash drive, it was traditionally used as a security key designed to authorize the use of certain software packages, or to allow the holder entrance into a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Today, the term also refers to pigtail-type adapters, to wireless network adapters, and even to common flash drives, though the latter usage is not universally accepted.
Software that requires a dongle will not run without the device present, or it might run in crippled mode. The device can authorize or unlock particular features of the software in accord with the type of license purchased. In addition to providing security, it is more difficult to crack a dongle or pirate it than it is to copy or crack software. Requiring both the software and matching hardware increases the difficulty of piracy to such a degree that it essentially makes the product a less desirable target.
A hardware dongle is also used with many VPNs, issued to authorized employees. The device exchanges security tokens with the VPN in the handshake process, providing stored, encrypted credentials before the computer is allowed access to the network. The dongle is typically mated to a particular computer through unique profile identifiers, disallowing it to be operated on an unknown system should it be lost or stolen. A secure password is also commonly required of the user, further deterring unauthorized use.
Another type of hardware dongle is the wireless network adapter. There are several types of these devices for connecting to either a Bluetooth network, a wireless local area network (WLAN), or to a cellular or mobile network.
WLANs are typically found in the home and office and most computers today have wireless network cards built-in. When an internal card cannot be used, an external wireless adapter or wireless hardware dongle can be purchased. The dongle must share a common wireless protocol with the router it will be connecting to.
A common flash drive might also be referred to as a hardware dongle, though some do not consider these true dongles because they do not translate data streams between port types, nor are they security keys in the strict sense, even when adapted for use as such. Other types of adapters commonly referred to by this term also fall short of this stricter definition, such as the 2-in-1 HDMI adapter/dongle.
The Bluetooth dongle is one of the most convenient things ever invented. They are cheap and reliable -- keep that in mind should you be looking at a computer that doesn't have Bluetooth already installed but can be added as an expensive option. A cheap, reliable dongle could save you a few bucks. Post your comments Please enter the following code: Login: Forgot password? Register: blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-1']); blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-2']); blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-3']); blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-4']); blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-5']); blogherads.adq.push(['sky', 'skm-ad-sky-6']); window.stockSnippets = window.stockSnippets ; window.stockSnippets['ss_rhs'] = ` `; 2-in-1 adapters serve a dual purpose, like an HDMI dongle that allows multiple devices to connect to a main video (HDMI) port. By: Dan A Bluetooth dongle allows two devices to connect to one another, one of them being wireless, such as a wireless keyboard and desktop computer. By: akeeris A hardware dongle typically interacts via a USB port. Categories
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