The iLok or InterLok is a copy protection method developed and manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy which utilizes a USB dongle and an online registration system. It enables a licensed user of a software application to use the software on different computers without having to register each computer.
The keys are cited as one of the many causes of consumer apathy in the audio world: sales of audio plugins which require the ilok system have decreased as more users look for alternative software which does not require a hardware key. The keys themselves add an extra 10% or more to plugin and software purchases.