Closeup of a dataport.
A dataport was a computer interface that was embedded into an individual's brain, allowing them computer access without manual effort.
History and specifics[]
Bynars and Eerlikka commonly used dataports, as did some Borg. (SCE eBook: Fatal Error, VOY episode: "Dark Frontier")
Dataports were also used by criminal organizations like the Orion Syndicate to steal information and commit financial crimes. (DS9 episodes: "A Simple Investigation", "Honor Among Thieves")
A dataport itself was two millimeters thick and one to two centimeters in diameter. Data thieves used such implants to hasten their ability to search through data and hack systems, a procedure commonly called "porting". It could be dangerous, as security programs could detect their illicit activity and generate painful feedback. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Raiders, Renegades & Rogues)
In the 2370s while infiltrating the Orion Syndicate, Miles O'Brien booby-trapped a dataport. When Krole plugged into a communications booth with his dataport, it fused and jolted him with an electric shock. O'Brien used the event to get closer to Liam Bilby. (Adventures RPG module: The Command Division)
In 2375, B'Elanna Torres connected Borg datanodes into a dataport. (VOY episode: "Drone")
In 2376 on Eerlik, Soloman located an invasive program within the sentient Ganitriul computer after connecting to it through his dataport. (SCE eBook: Fatal Error)
The term was also generally used to refer to a non-organic data socket in the 23rd and 24th century. (TOS - Constellations short story: "Fracture", DS9 - The Lives of Dax short story: "Dead Man's Hand", DS9 novel: The Soul Key, VOY - String Theory novel: Fusion)
Appendices[]
References[]
External link[]
- Dataport article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.