An electronic reference device is disclosed that can be connected to an external computer. The electronic reference device functions as a dictionary for the reader to look up words as they read. It can also have various other functions that would be suitable for a portable electronic device. When connected to the computer, the system has sufficient security features to allow the user to copy databases between the devices and to still protect the digital rights of the databases in memory. The security features uses encryption techniques to tie the database to the location in memory to regulate the access and readability of the databases.