Information On How Dongle Protection Works

The word “dongle” typically refers to a little electronic device and it connects to a USB port on a laptop, desktop computer, or server. It looks like a flash drive. The most powerful dongle protection is provided when the device contains a smart card chip, onboard memory, and has a secure case to guard against physical attacks.

Dongle protection can only deliver strong security when it is used appropriately, which has to include encrypting the communications between the actual dongle and the computer’s operating system. Dongles can secure IP in addition to commercial software, including PDFs, music and video files, plus access to websites. In addition to the common USB form factor, dongle security is available on SD, Micro SD, and compact flash (CF) cards. Micro SD (µSD) and CF cards are preferred for applications in embedded systems, as are ASIC (application specific integrated circuits) chips using the hardware protection built in.

A dongle protection device stores a key that is used to decrypt a specific piece of software every time it is launched. This key stops the software program from being copied since unless the software is decrypted it just basically cannot function. This means that given that the dongle protects this key the application is secured against crackers and software pirates, but nevertheless, only if the ISV uses the dongle in the correct way may the software be thoroughly protected.

Why Choose Dongle Protection?

Dongles can provide extremely strong security against IP theft, nevertheless they carry added costs that are both financial (you have to pay for the dongle and add that to the cost of your software product) as well as convenience as the consumer will need the dongle in order to be able to operate the software. Used the right way, dongle protection can supply unsurpassable degrees of protection against illegal replicating of software, data files, music, and video. Used poorly, dongles can provide the impression of safety without strong security.

Learn how you can use dongles to protect you software. Visit Wibu for more details.

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