DK2 / DK38

Available as :

The DK2 parallel port and USB DESkeys and DK38 type 2 PC Card use the latest ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and microcomputer technology to provide a range of features including memory, through encryption and random numbers. They are totally interchangeable using common drivers and software. When used with DESlock, illegal use of your software becomes virtually impossible.

Features:

Pseudo-random number generator

At the heart of the DK2 or DK38 is a very large 'seedable' pseudo-random number generator, capable of producing vast quantities of data. This random data may be used by your application in many ways such as providing unique encryption keys for protecting vital areas of your code or data.

Encryption Throughput

Code or data from your application may be fed through the DESkey for on-line encryption. This has the advantage of hiding your encryption key within the hardware of the DK2 or DK38.

Unique 6 byte Password

All customers will have at least one unique 6 byte password to enable writing to 'Private' memory or setting the 'Down-Counter'. Attempts at random guessing the 281,000,000,000,000 variations of this password will cause the DESkey to shut down until reset at the factory.

Memory

224 Bytes of memory are available: the 16 byte 'Public' sector and 208 byte 'Private' sector. The Public sector will allow both read and write operations at any time. The Private sector may be read at any time, but cannot be written without the unique 6 byte password. This feature enables licensing and configuration information to be written to the Private sector. Although the user has no way of writing to Private Memory, it is possible for you to change the contents at your customer's remote site, securely, and without divulging your password. See Remote Command below.

Down-Counter

Programmable with any value between 1 and 16 million, this password protected feature provides the means to stop your software working after a pre-programmed number of executions. This is an ideal method for controlling demonstration software or metering by the run or by process. As with Private memory updates, this counter may be reset on site using a Remote Command.

Variable Response Algorithm

This feature works in conjunction with an algorithm run on the host system which encrypts and sends data to the DESkey where an embedded complementary algorithm decrypts it. Similarly, data returned is encrypted in the DESkey and sent to the host which decrypts it. The command sent and data returned has a different form each time it is used, preventing functional emulation by a device driver or any other means.

Hidden Commands

The DK2 and DK38 use the unique and powerful Variable Response Algorithm to provide additional 'Hidden Commands'. Called as often as required, the command sent and returned data will never appear to be the same.

Remote Commands

Using certain Hidden Commands, the Private memory or the Down Counter may be securely updated in the field. The DK2 and DK38 contain a special Up-Date Counter of which the current value must be known and supplied as part of the encrypted Remote Command. It is possible to create an encrypted sequence that can be given to an end-user to update his DESkey. This Command is totally secure because it is encrypted using data specific to his particular DESkey and the state of its Up-Date Counter. Since the Remote Command increments the Up-Date Counter, it can only ever be used once. To update the DESkey again a new Command sequence must be generated.

Transparent

When not in use, the DK2 parallel port key remains transparent to normal parallel port usage.

Interchangeable

All three devices use the same DESlock and Driver Software, they are totally interchangeable. Ideal if your users run a combination of desktop and notebook PC's.

DESlock

DESlock software is used in conjunction with the DK2 or DK38 to give 'instant' protection to .EXE, .COM, or .DLL files. This is achieved by wrapping a protective shield around the application and using encryption techniques to provide a very secure operating environment for your software.

Driver Software

Alternatively, you can operate the DK2 or DK38 yourself with our range of drivers and sample code. Our Technical Support team can advise and assist with interfacing your software direct to the DESkey and will be happy to help you in developing a protection system tailor-made to your requirements.

Export Classification

Assessment by the BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) in the USA, has classified the DK2, DK2USB and DK2EC with an ECCN (Export Control Classification Number) of 5A992/AT1.

DK2 CCATS # G044470
DK2USB CCATS# G044473