What is the term for a device required to make certain software operable on a computer, i.e., a dongle?

What is the term for a device required to make certain software operable on a computer, i.e., a dongle?

• A. Hardware locks (1)
• B. USB Token
• C. Software License
• D. Encryption Key

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is about protecting software with a physical device that must be present to run it. A dongle is a hardware lock—a physical key that the software checks for, and it prevents operation if the device isn’t connected or recognized. This term emphasizes the idea of locking the software behind a hardware piece, which is exactly what a dongle does. While a USB Token is a kind of hardware token, it’s a more specific description of the form factor rather than the general mechanism. A Software License describes an agreement or entitlement, not a physical device, and an Encryption Key is used for cryptographic operations, not licensing or access control in this context. So, hardware locks best conveys the concept of a dongle as the protective hardware that enables the software to operate.

The main idea here is about protecting software with a physical device that must be present to run it. A dongle is a hardware lock—a physical key that the software checks for, and it prevents operation if the device isn’t connected or recognized. This term emphasizes the idea of locking the software behind a hardware piece, which is exactly what a dongle does. While a USB Token is a kind of hardware token, it’s a more specific description of the form factor rather than the general mechanism. A Software License describes an agreement or entitlement, not a physical device, and an Encryption Key is used for cryptographic operations, not licensing or access control in this context. So, hardware locks best conveys the concept of a dongle as the protective hardware that enables the software to operate.