Computer data security device and method

A computer data security device for use with a computer having a parallel port, said device comprising:

• a key device comprising an integrated circuit having output and ground conductors, and wherein the key device is adapted to output a predetermined stored code when it is energized;
• a key connector having first and second electrical conductors adapted to contact the respective output and ground conductors of the key device, respectively;
• parallel port connector means for connecting between a predetermined parallel port of the computer and the key connector, the parallel port connector means having a bidirectional data conductor and a ground conductor;
• and
• a first conductor coupled between the bidirectional data conductor in the connector means and the first conductor of the key connector, and a second conductor coupled between the ground conductor of the connector means and the second conductor of the key connector;
• and wherein placing the key device into the key connector such that respective electrical conductors thereof come in contact energizes the key device which outputs the predetermined stored code to a computer coupled to the parallel port connector means.

A method of provided computer data security, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a key comprising an integrated circuit that is adapted to output a predetermined stored code when it is energized;
• providing a key connector coupled between a computer whose data is to be protected and a key connector that is adapted to contact the key;
• installing a software program on a disk that is to be protected by running an installation program and energizing the key to output the stored code that is stored on the disk in response to a first prompt provided by the installation program and entering a password that is stored on the disk in response to a second prompt provided by the installation program;
• rebooting the computer to run the installed program;
• and
• energizing the key to output the stored code that is stored on the disk in response to the first prompt provided by the program and entering the password in response to the second prompt provided by the program;
• wherein placing the key into the key connector outputs the stored code and properly entering of the password permits a user to access the data stored on the disk.

A computer data security device for use with a computer, said device comprising:

• a key device comprising an integrated circuit having output and ground conductors, and wherein the key device is adapted to output a predetermined stored code when it is energized;
• a key connector having first and second electrical conductors adapted to contact the respective output and ground conductors of the key device, respectively;
• connector means for connecting between a predetermined port of the computer and the key connector, the connector means having a bidirectional data conductor and a ground conductor, the connector means further comprising a male connector and a mating female connector having their corresponding pins wired together to form a single connector having male and female ends, and wherein the connector means is adapted to permit coupling of an output device to the computer by way of the port;
• and
• a first conductor coupled between the bidirectional data conductor in the connector means and the first conductor of the key connector, and a second conductor coupled between the ground conductor of the connector means and the second conductor of the key connector;
• and wherein placing the key device into the key connector such that respective electrical conductors thereof come in contact energizes the key device which outputs the predetermined stored code to a computer coupled to the connector means.

A computer data security device for use with a computer having a parallel port, said device comprising:

• a key device comprising an integrated circuit having output and ground conductors, and wherein the key device is adapted to output a predetermined stored code when it is energized;
• a key connector having first and second electrical conductors adapted to contact the respective output and ground conductors of the key device, respectively;
• parallel port connector means for connecting between a predetermined parallel port of the computer and the key connector, the parallel port connector means having a bidirectional data conductor and a ground conductor, the connector means further comprising a male connector and a mating female connector having their corresponding pins wired together to form a single connector having male and female ends, and wherein the connector means is adapted to permit coupling of an output device to the computer by way of the port;
• and
• a first conductor coupled between the bidirectional data conductor in the connector means and the first conductor of the key connector, and a second conductor coupled between the ground conductor of the connector means and the second conductor of the key connector;
• and wherein placing the key device into the key connector such that respective electrical conductors thereof come in contact energizes the key device which outputs the predetermined stored code to a computer coupled to the parallel port connector means.