Cloud-based solutions involve running the software in the cloud, rather than on your local machine. This can be done using cloud-based virtualization or application hosting services.
One popular cloud-based solution is Cloud-Based Virtualization. This solution allows you to run dongle-protected software in the cloud, eliminating the need for a physical dongle.
If a company goes out of business and no longer supports the software, some jurisdictions allow "abandonware" exceptions, though this is legally murky. Check with a copyright attorney before proceeding. run dongle protected software without dongle
After testing every method described above for over a decade, here is the only recommendation that isn’t a waste of time or a security risk:
Step 1 – Contact the vendor. Say: “My dongle is lost/broken. I have proof of purchase. Can you issue a software-based license or a replacement at a discount?” Many will help, especially for legacy customers. Cloud-based solutions involve running the software in the
Step 2 – Migrate to modern licensing. If the software is critical, consider upgrading to the latest version that supports cloud licensing (no dongle required). The upgrade cost is often less than the engineering hours wasted on emulation.
Step 3 – Use a USB over IP hub (e.g., Silex SX-DS-4000W2). Plug the dongle into this tiny network device, then any PC on your network can access it. You still need the physical dongle, but it’s hidden in a server closet, not dangling from your laptop. This method involves modifying the binary code of
Step 4 – For abandoned software only: If the company no longer exists and you cannot buy a new dongle, and the software is critical for operating expensive machinery (e.g., CNC, medical devices), consult an attorney about the DMCA’s exemption for “maintenance of a machine” (renewed every three years by the Librarian of Congress). As of 2024, this exemption does not cover dongle circumvention for general software use—only for repairing physical machines that depend on that software.
This method involves modifying the binary code of the protected application to remove the requirement for the dongle.
dongle.dll). Attackers can write a wrapper DLL that mimics the original library but returns hardcoded "success" values to the application without communicating with the hardware.If you own multiple licenses but only have one dongle, some vendors allow dongle splitting via a USB hub and licensed driver tools. This is rare and requires explicit written permission.