Software protection dongle

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 software protection, dongles are two-interface security tokens with transient data flow with a pull[clarification needed] communication that reads security data from the dongle. In the absence of these dongles, certain software may run only in a restricted mode, or not at all. In addition to software protection, dongles can enable functions in electronic devices, such as receiving and processing encoded video streams on television sets.

HASP (Hardware Against Software Piracy) key dongle for LPT port
  1. ^ Amos, S. W.; Amos, Roger S. (2002). Newnes Dictionary of Electronics (4th ed.). Newnes Press. p. 152. ISBN 0750643315. OCLC 144646016. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  2. ^ Stobbs, Gregory A. (2012). Software Patents (Third ed.). Wolters Kluwer. pp. 2–90. ISBN 9781454811978. OCLC 802867781. Retrieved 4 July 2013.