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Q: Securing a dongle ( Answered,   5 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Securing a dongle
Category: Computers > Security
Asked by: brvid-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 27 Jun 2002 10:33 PDT
Expires: 27 Jul 2002 10:33 PDT
Question ID: 34200
I work at a training facility that teaches Pro Tools.  This software utilizes
an "I-link" dongle that plugs into the MAC keyboard.

I am looking for a method to physically lock the dongle to the keyboard, and then
the keyboard to something else, such that the dongle cannot be stolen or removed.

This could be as simple as a wire attached to the dongle which is attached to
the computer main-frame, with enough wire to allow the dongle to be plugged
into it's slot in the keyboard.

I want to know if such a securing device already exists and where I might be
able to get more information about it.
Answer  
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
Answered By: vinods-ga on 30 Jun 2002 13:55 PDT
 
Hi, 

This attempt at answering your question assumes you have acess to a
few tools, or will be able to get it done....

A dongle is basically a piece of hardware within a pastic enclusre.
most probably your dongle is like a Serial connector with a plastic
mass covering some electronics. in this case, there is a suitable
space on the flat area ensconsed within the diagonal lines that can be
drilled into.

what i suggest is that you drill a .5 inch hole into the dongle in
this space which is pure plastic and no electronics, and introduce a
simple braided steel chain-wire. then the ends have to be looped and
solidly fixed with caps so that it is not possible to open the small
loops. you can use a padlock to fix the small loops with a leg of the
table or something large and not easily moveable.

the size of the hole can be more, but, i feel .5 inch is enough for a
tough-enough braided steel-wire to go through.

warm regards

vinod-ga
Comments  
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
From: halogenstudios-ga on 27 Jun 2002 11:25 PDT
 
Epoxy + Bicycle Seat Cable* + I-Link = Very Secure Dongle

*Thick cable used to secure the seat on a bicycle so it does not get stolen.
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
From: sean_carey-ga on 27 Jun 2002 11:27 PDT
 
Dont think there is a way for that.
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
From: sagwalla-ga on 27 Jun 2002 11:44 PDT
 
Interesting question.  I wonder if it's time to "think inside the
box".  I use dongles and have occasionally noted that my dongle is
theoretically worth a whole lot more than the PC I use it on, yet I
lock up the PC and leave the dongles in the docking station.  Mine is
a laptop, so there's no room on the inside, but what if you could find
a way to install, and even lock, it on the inside of the case.  It
seems to me it would be a whole lot more secure if no one knew it was
there.  Just an idea.
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
From: to0d-ga on 27 Jun 2002 22:23 PDT
 
There's a way to hide dongles inside normal PC:s at least. Hasp offers
cards which provide Dongle space inside your tower. (
http://www.ealaddin.com/hasp/aladdincard.asp?cf=tl )
Another quite interesting idea that has been released some years ago,
is USB Key that can be used as a dongle. It looks like ignition key to
me so you can carry it along your keys... (
http://www.ealaddin.com/hasp/xplatform.asp?cf=tl )
They have free evaluation and demo models if somebody is interested.

- To0d
Subject: Re: Securing a dongle
From: lot-ga on 29 Jun 2002 13:43 PDT
 
Depending on your dongle and software you might be able to launch the
Pro Tools in the morning and remove the dongle, and it continues to
work... needing the dongle only on launch - so you can hide them away
in a draw until the next day.

However most dongles these days go and check if it is present at
certain intervals.

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