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hardware key |
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hardware key Also called a "dongle," it is a software copy protection device that plugs into the USB port of the computer. Upon startup, the application looks for the key and will run only if the key contains the appropriate code. Typically used for expensive software, hardware keys are very effective copy protection devices, because they cannot be duplicated by the user.Earlier Keys Dangled The first hardware keys plugged into the serial or parallel ports and acted as pass-throughs so that other keys or peripheral devices could also use the port. In fact, the nickname "dongle" was derived from multiple hardware keys "dangling" off the back of the computer. See DMCA and PC Card dongle.
hardware key [′här‚dwer ‚kē] (computer science) Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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