A hardware device that serves as copy protection for certain software by rendering the software inoperable when the device is not plugged into a proper port.
Vendors of software-protection dongles (and dongle-controlled software) often use terms such as hardware key, hardware token, or security device instead of dongle, but the term "dongle" is much more common in day-to-day use.
Real Time Dongle - A definition from Wikipedia:
The Real time dongle contains an internal real time clock, independent from the Operating system clock, and designed for software vendors who need to control and manage rental and sale usage and/or maintenance. This allows pay per use by charging the end users timely and periodically for actual periods of use. This function is based on a real time clock in the dongle which records the specific time (hour, minute, second) and date (day, month, year).
If there isn't battery inside dongle, the dongle is not real time dongle. There are only 2 real time dongles, the one is HASP Time, and the other is UniKey Time.
Why should we choose the real-time clock version hardware key?
The Time model is a real time hardware key that contains a real-time clock. With the real Time key, your application is not only secured with a hardware key but its activation is also limited to a specific time and date. This is an ideal solution for renting software or selling it in a subscription or maintenance-
What happens when the battery dies in a Real Time hardware dongle?
When not connected to a computer, the hardware key Time battery has a lifetime of few years. However, battery life can be increased to at least ten years if the key remains connected to an operating computer.
When the battery eventually dies, the Time hardware key can be used as a standard hardware key, i.e. it no longer supports time-limited licenses, but continues to provide activation-limited licenses.
Software Protection with a Real-Time Clock
The Real Time version hardware key permits the leasing and renting of software, which expires after a specific date. It lets you charge the clients periodically for software use and maintenance. This functionality is based on an internal real-time clock, indicating the exact time (hours, minutes and seconds) and date (day, month, year). Each Time hardware key internal clock battery is guaranteed to last three or four years in the field, eliminating costly or frequent hardware replacements for your customers.
Real Time hardware key USB dongle benefits:
An ideal solution for strong copy protection, IP protection, and feature-based time-based subscription or rental licensing.
- Unmatched Protection Against Software Piracy
- Strong copy protection guarantees publishers get paid for every software copy: On-chip 128-bit AES encryption ensures a robust link between the application and the hardware key.
- Powerful protection against hacker attacks: A secure communication channel between the key and the application offers powerful resistance to middle layer attacks.
- Real-time on-key clock prevents tampering with time settings.
- Time-Based: Use the real time hardware key to enable subscription or rental of software for a specific time period.
- A secure, non PC-dependent external storage device: Store licenses, passwords, strings, and application dependent data in either protected read/write memory or ROM.
- Easily identify authorized application users: Real Time hardware key features a unique ID number for every key.
Fake time version dongle
Fake products are found worldwide and they are usually poor quality sold at a fraction of the original price. Some of dongle suppliers to name their products similarly after popular brand names to trick consumers into buying them.
No battery in side, no real time function!
Know more about Real Time dongles
www.aladdin.com
www.eSecuTech.com
