# dongle

> small piece of hardware that attaches to computer or other electronic device

**Wikidata**: [Q16796509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16796509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dongle

## Summary
A dongle is a small piece of hardware that attaches to a computer or other electronic device, typically serving as a peripheral to provide additional functionality such as connectivity or security. These compact devices expand capabilities of existing systems without requiring full internal hardware installations.

## Key Facts
- A dongle is classified as a peripheral, which is any hardware device that attaches to a computer to provide input, output, storage, or communication facilities.
- There are different types of dongles, including wireless dongles (like the Logi Bolt USB Type A receiver for Logitech products) and software protection dongles designed for electronic copy protection.
- The UB500 is an example of a USB Bluetooth dongle manufactured by TP-link.
- Canokey represents a specific type of hardware authentication device that fits the dongle classification.
- Dongles have approximately 25 sitelinks across various language versions of Wikipedia.

## FAQs
### Q: What is a dongle and what is its primary purpose?
A: A dongle is a small piece of hardware that attaches to a computer or other electronic device, typically to provide additional functionality such as connectivity or security. Its primary purpose is to expand capabilities of existing systems without requiring a full internal hardware installation.

### Q: How does a dongle differ from other computer peripherals?
A: Unlike most peripherals that may require internal installation or substantial desk space, dongles are typically small external devices that plug into ports like USB. They often serve specific, limited functions such as adding wireless connectivity or providing authentication security in a compact form factor.

### Q: What are common examples of dongles?
A: Common dongles include wireless receivers (like Logitech's Logi Bolt), USB Bluetooth adapters (such as the UB500 from TP-link), and software protection devices. Authentication dongles like Canokey represent another specialized type designed for security purposes.

## Why It Matters
Dongles matter because they solve the fundamental problem of adding specific functionality to existing electronic devices without requiring complete hardware upgrades or installations. They have revolutionized how users expand capabilities of computers, enabling connectivity solutions like wireless peripherals, Bluetooth functionality, and secure software authentication in a compact, affordable format. The dongle's significance lies in its versatility across various applications—from consumer electronics to enterprise security—making complex technological capabilities accessible to ordinary users.

## Notable For
- Being a compact peripheral solution that enables plug-and-play functionality expansion
- Serving as a physical form of software protection and authentication
- Providing wireless connectivity solutions for devices with built-in port limitations
- Representing a bridge between standard computer interfaces and expanded functionality needs

## Body
### Overview
A dongle is a small piece of hardware that attaches to a computer or other electronic device. As a type of peripheral, it falls under the broader category of hardware devices which attach to computers to provide various facilities like input, output, storage, or communication.

### Types of Dongles
- Wireless Dongles: Devices like Logitech's Logi Bolt USB Type A receiver enable wireless connectivity for computer peripherals
- USB Bluetooth Dongles: Products such as the UB500 from TP-link add Bluetooth functionality to devices that lack built-in support
- Software Protection Dongles: Electronic copy protection devices that prevent unauthorized use of software
- Authentication Devices: Hardware like Canokey that provides secure authentication capabilities

### Classification and Recognition
- Recognized as a subclass of peripheral in hardware classifications
- Has a Wikipedia presence with 25 sitelinks across at least 10 different language versions (Arabic, Bulgarian, Bengali, Danish, English, Spanish, Estonian, Persian, French)
- Listed in Wikidata with freebase ID /m/011btjxw and wordnet ID 03226054-n

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Dongle",
  "description": "A small piece of hardware that attaches to computer or other electronic device, typically serving as a peripheral to provide additional functionality such as connectivity or security.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1464625",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dongle"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Peripheral"
}