Abstract: There is provided a method for selectively protecting one of a plurality of methods of a class of an application written in an object-orientated language, in particular Java, wherein a protected application is created by adding a protection module to the application, analyzing a first method to be protected of a plurality of methods of a first class of the application and determining first parameters needed for executing the first method, generating first gate code depending on the determined first parameters, replacing the first code of the first method by said first gate code and storing the replaced first code such that it can be accessed by the protection module during execution of the protected application, wherein, when the first method is called during execution of the protected application, the first gate code collects first data based on the determined first parameters and transmits the collected first data to the protection module, the protection module accesses the stored first code and generates a

Abstract: A group of sets is provided, each including a secret and an assigned identifier. The sets are stored in a hardware device that can retrieve the secret of any of the sets using the secret's corresponding identifier. A set is stored in an application, and the application is delivered to a user who runs it on a computer coupled to the device. The application defines a session key, generates session data including the stored set's identifier and the session key encrypted with the stored set's corresponding secret, and sends the session data to the device. The device retrieves from the session data the encrypted session key and the identifier, retrieves from its storage the secret corresponding to the identifier, and uses the secret to decrypt the session key. The session key is then used as a shared key for secure communications between the hardware device and the computer.

Abstract: A method of executing a program (2) on a computer (3) comprising a main memory (6) divided into pages comprises the steps of: loading a main section (7) of the program comprising a manipulating module into the main memory (6) and executing the main section (7), whose manipulating module (12) effects a manipulation of a first of a plurality of program blocks (8, 9, 10) of the program every time a predetermined page error is generated upon an attempt to access the first program block (8, 9, 10).

Abstract: A method of operating a computer system comprises the following steps: installing an executable main module of a program on the computer system, storing module data for the main module and/or for an additional module (A, B, C, D) of the program in the computer system, said stored module data comprising a license part required to determine the presence of the use authorization of the main module and/or of the additional module, and preferably also comprising an information part, evaluating the stored module data for acquisition of a further use authorization for the additional module (A-D) or for a further additional module (A-D), and providing information for the acquisition of a use authorization as a function of the result of evaluation.

Abstract: What is provided is a method of adding a functionality to an executable first module of a program package, wherein the executable first module, during execution, provides an internal function or utilizes an internal function of an executable second module of the program package; wherein, when the first module is not executed, an externally visible reference pointing to said internal function is determined, auxiliary code is added to the first module and a redirection is permanently provided in the first module as a function of the reference thus determined such that a modified executable first module is present, wherein, when the internal function is requested during execution, a redirection is made to the auxiliary code which causes the functionality to be provided during execution.

Abstract: A method of adding a copy protection function to a program to be installed on a computer system comprising a copy protection unit is provided, said method comprising the steps of determining a decision section of the program, wherein information influencing the further course of the program is defined during execution of the program, as a function of the current running state of the program, and converting the decision section by means of code which is executable exclusively in the copy protection unit and which is executed in the copy protection unit during execution of the program.

Abstract: There is provided a method for secure communication between a secure hardware device connected to a computer and said computer, said method comprising the steps of: a) defining a group of secret sets including at least two secret sets, each of which includes a secret and an assigned identifier, b) storing the group of secret sets in the secure hardware device in such a manner that the secure hardware device can retrieve the secret of any of said secret sets from the assigned identifier, c) selecting a first one of said secret sets and storing said selected first secret set in a first application, d) delivering the first application which includes the first secret set to a user who executes the first application on a computer being connected to the secure hardware device, e) wherein the first application defines a first session key and generates first session key indication data based on the first secret set, said first session key indication data including the identifier of the first secret set as the only e

Abstract: There is provided a method for obtaining a protected application protected against unauthorized use by implementing a predetermined licensing model, said method comprising the steps of: adding a software product to said application, said software product providing the possibility of defining one of several different manners of realizing a functionality to be used for implementing the predetermined licensing model, and defining one of the several manners of realizing the functionality and an apparatus for obtaining a protected application protected against unauthorized use by implementing a predetermined licensing model, which apparatus adds a software product to said application, said software product providing the possibility of defining one of several different manners of realizing a functionality to be used for implementing the predetermined licensing model, and defines one of the several manners of realizing the functionality.

Abstract: A system for giving run authorization to a program installed on a computer, comprising a checking unit having a receiving device and, at least partially, forms part of the computer or is linked with the latter via a data link, and a device which is transportable separately from the computer and from the checking unit and connectable to the receiving device within a predetermined distance therefrom by a wireless link through which an identification code contained in said device is transmitted to the checking unit, said checking unit comparing the transmitted identification code with a reference code and giving the run authorization, if both codes are identical.