The CodeMeter is said to be available as a USB device called the CMstick (pictured above) as well as a 32-bit, Cardbus-compatible PC Card called the CmCard/M, and an Express Card/34 device called the CmCard/E. All contain a SmartCard chip including a secure memory with a minimum of 128 KB, 60 KB of which available for storing software licenses.
Wibu Systems touts the flexibility of its solution, noting that a CodeKey can store 1,000 licenses from more than 100 different manufacturers. Also, in addition to Windows CE, the CodeKey supports Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000, Mac OS, and Linux.
The CodeMeter is claimed to be particularly secure, using both symmetric encryption (AES, with 128-bit key) and asymmetric encyption (ECC, with 224 bit key). Keys can be stored securely in the CodeMeter hardware, or generated within it via a random number generator. The device is also said to be protected against physical methods of attack, such as electron microscopy or differential power analysis.
According to the company, its WibuKey software allows the CodeMeter to support many different software licensing models, including:
- Single user licenses
- Concurrent use/floating licenses within a network system
- Evaluation licenses (number of starts)
- Subscriptions, renting or leasing (time-limited use)
- Pay-Per-Use (accounting per executed action)
- Modular licenses (activation of additional functions)
Although users sometimes find hardware dongles to be an annoyance, the company suggests that the CodeMeter can provide some payback for end users. For example, CM Password Manager delivers secure, mobile storage of passwords, while Steganos Safe Lite software creates an encrypted virtual drive that can only be opened when the CodeMeter is present.
The USB version of the CodeMeter can also be purchased with 128 KB to 2 GB of extra flash memory, allowing it to be used as a flash drive. The devices appear to be available now, though Wibu Systems did not release pricing information.
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