[net.wanted] software protection

frans@duvel.UUCP (06/15/85)

I am looking for ways to protect software on an IBM PC.
Currently I am looking for connectors or so which I can plug 
into one of the output ports, and would return a (unique) id
when accessed, thus making it possible to identify a system.
I've seen protection by means of a connector in the past on a HP
micro.

Does someone know more about such devices? I am also interested in
other ways of protection software on an IBM PC.

Thanks!
-- 
		Frans Meulenbroeks, Philips Micro Development Systems
		   ...!{seismo|philabs|decvax}!mcvax!philmds!frans

tj@utcs.UUCP (tj) (06/17/85)

There is some sort of standard approach being looked at for hardware
software protection shcemes. It is suposed to be a plug that hangs off your serial
port that responds when the software associated to it asks for a response, and is
totally transparent when normal use of the serial port is happening. I cna't 
remember where I read about it, probably PC, PC World within the last 3 months.
(I know thats a lot of issues, sorry)
t.jones

dkatz@zaphod.UUCP (Dave Katz) (06/19/85)

The Diagraph (r) Software package for the HP-150 has what they call a
"softlock" system.  What you get with the package is a small plastic
gizmo that plugs into the HP-IB connector on your 150.  When the
software is ready for a security check, it prompts you to press the
button on the top of the softlock.  The approach is particularly good
since the HP-IB is daisy chained and built such that there is always one
open connector at the end of the chain for the softlock.

We have speculated around here as to what is actually inside the plastic
case.  When our curiosity gets the best of us, ...

ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (06/21/85)

>  What you get with the package is a small plastic
> gizmo that plugs into the HP-IB connector on your 150.  

There's a generic name for the gizmo that "key" you plug into the
micro that the software checks for, but I've forgotten what it is,
can anyone help.

-Ron

nather@utastro.UUCP (Ed Nather) (06/24/85)

> >  What you get with the package is a small plastic
> > gizmo that plugs into the HP-IB connector on your 150.  
> 
> There's a generic name for the gizmo that "key" you plug into the
> micro that the software checks for, but I've forgotten what it is,
> can anyone help.
> 
> -Ron

Idiocy.

-- 
Ed Nather
Astronony Dept, U of Texas @ Austin
{allegra,ihnp4}!{noao,ut-sally}!utastro!nather
nather%utastro.UTEXAS@ut-sally.ARPA

tj@utcs.UUCP (tj) (06/26/85)

There are three or four models of this as far as I know, all
from the same company. They plug into various spots, between the keyboard, on
a serial port etc. I just found the info in Computer Data, vol 10, #6 june 85
page 22. Called Gardware. PC-Gard, Mac-Gard and Port-Gard. Latter plugs into any 
serial port. From Arnet Controls. Circle number 112 on the reader service
card (useful to you all eh!!)
tj

al@mot.UUCP (Al Filipski) (06/28/85)

>>  What you get with the package is a small plastic
>> gizmo that plugs into the HP-IB connector on your 150.  
>
>There's a generic name for the gizmo that "key" you plug into the
>micro that the software checks for, but I've forgotten what it is,
>can anyone help.

The "Computer Fraud & Security Bulletin" calls them "dongles".  I don't
know if this word is used in the US of A as well as in Britain (where the
CF&S B is edited).  The magazine is the only place I've seen it.
--------------------------------
Alan Filipski, UNIX group, Motorola Microsystems, Tempe, AZ U.S.A
{seismo|ihnp4}!ut-sally!oakhill!mot!al
allegra!sftig!mot!al  
ucbvax!arizona!asuvax!mot!al
--------------------------------
We're so sorry, uncle Albert, but we haven't done a bloody thing all day.