hardware key
Also called a "dongle," it is a very effective software copy protection device that plugs into a serial, parallel or USB port on the PC. The software sends a code to the key, which responds by reading out a serial number. The key ensures that the software runs on only one machine because each copy of the program is tied to a unique number in the key.
The key also acts as a pass-through to the printer or other peripheral device. Multiple hardware keys can be used, each plugging into the other. See DMCA and PC Card dongle.
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| The Hardware Key |
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| Hardware keys provide a pass-through so that other devices can be plugged into the same port. Multiple keys can be plugged into each other. |
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| Internal View |
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| This internal picture of the Sentinel Software Protection Key shows the actual electronics. (Image courtesy of Rainbow Technologies, later merged into SafeNet, Inc., www.safenet-inc.com) |
hardware key [′här‚dwer ‚kē]
(computer science)
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