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A dongle is a small hardware device that connects to a computer via USB and is used for software authentication. It can also refer to network adapters and audio attachments. Dongles are used to prevent unauthorized software copying. Software as a Service is a newer option for software protection. Dongle design must consider ease of deployment and user-friendliness.
A dongle is a small piece of hardware that typically plugs into a laptop or desktop computer via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection. Hardware key is a generic term for several types of items. Traditionally, the hardware key was used to authenticate a client to a piece of software. These types of software protection devices are also often referred to as dongles or simply as security devices.
Although a hardware key has often been used as hardware protection for software, network adapters can also be called hardware keys. Network adapters generally work with data encryption, so in that sense they would be similar to a hardware key that would provide software authentication. Some types of audio attachments may also be called dongles when they connect through a USB port.
The hardware key is an option for a software licensing system, where vendors must ensure that they prevent unauthorized access. Other types of software simply include keycodes for specific users and customers. A dongle helps to get around the problem of an unauthorized software copying situation, as the corresponding software will only work to a limited extent without the dongle, or not at all.
Another option for software protection is called Software as a Service. Software as a Service or SaaS replaces a hardware keyboard dongle or software codes. With software as a service, software programs are offered directly over the web, often run from the vendor’s server. Vendors can offer these programs for a specific license period, customize them for customers, and make updates and changes from the comfort of their computer setup.
Software as a service options customers do not need to open boxes and install drivers. They don’t have to waste time configuring software programs from a disk. They also don’t need to clutter up their processors and drives with bulky executables and other software program parts. Software as a service is taking over many parts of the software industry, and hardware keys often don’t seem to be a normal way to authenticate software. However, with the proliferation of small electronic devices such as flash drives, dongles may still be popular for some specific types of software authentication.
Those tasked with creating a dongle or dongle observe certain criteria for the best design. Considerations include ease of deployment and user-friendly functionality. Attention to detail ensures that hardware keys will be an effective way of authenticating a piece of software to the end user.
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