Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.PCS 1/10/84; site mtgzz.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!drutx!mtuxo!mtgzz!mwf From: mwf@mtgzz.UUCP (m.w.field) Newsgroups: net.micro.pc Subject: Re: software protection - dongles Message-ID: <922@mtgzz.UUCP> Date: Fri, 12-Jul-85 20:32:25 EDT Article-I.D.: mtgzz.922 Posted: Fri Jul 12 20:32:25 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jul-85 16:31:17 EDT References: <566@alberta.UUCP> <10800011@uiucdcsp>, <176@entropy.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Information Systems Labs, Middletown NJ Lines: 23 Remote Systems Inc of VA make a line of devices called secureware for the PC. These consist of a (in ADAPSO terminology) a keyring, a carrier that communicates to your serial or parrallel port into which you plug keys. The key is some kind of device that has your serial number on it. (Call Arly Wright (703) 734 8250) Another version plugs directly into an expansion slot. I am not very impressed with the security offered by these (expensive) devices. I think a programmer armed with DEBUG could defeat them given a little time. They do offer the user the ability to make back up copies though. I am not sure which gives me more more pain using this device or having software copied. A recent report I read said that the only effective hardware security device was something that was an integral part of the program, such as a mouse controller used because your software uses that kind of device. Life is unfair things are much easier for hardware manufacturers.