Genuine Autodata dongles are supplied only through authorized distributors and cost several hundred dollars. If you paid less than $200 for a current version, it is almost certainly counterfeit.
Autodata uses a (also called a key or lock) to verify that you have a legitimate license. The dongle contains a unique serial number and encrypted hardware ID.
However, one of the most persistent and infuriating errors encountered by technicians and workshop owners is:
(Invoking related search suggestions.)
Here are the most common real-world scenarios that trigger this error: