Abstract: Techniques relating to the distribution and installation of solidified (or “frozen”) software on a computer are disclosed. Any additional software installed on the computer after the solidification process will not execute, regardless of whether the installation is initiated or otherwise performed by a person with administrative privilege. The installation of the solidified software can be carried out by installing pre-solidified software, by solidifying the software at the source code level and by solidifying the software by the compiler. The solidification can also be performed when software distributions are manufactured, for example on CDs, or as part of an installation procedure that can run and/or install differently each time. A business process for billing customers for the transfer or usage of solidified software is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques which allow definition and enforcement of connectivity-based action and execution authorization policies. On a computer, an action or execution attempt is intercepted in real-time. The connectivity state of the computer, the subject process, the program file of the subject process, the attempted action and the object of the attempted action are determined. An authorization policy considering the connectivity state indicates whether the attempted action is authorized or not. In a tracking mode, the attempted action and its authorization are logged and the attempted action is allowed to proceed. In an enforcement mode, unauthorized attempts are blocked and logged, thereby enforcing the authorization policy.

Abstract: Method and system for containing networked application client software in order to perform specified transactions only given explicit consent of a legitimate user. In one embodiment, a confirmation interceptor intercepts a service request message, queries the user of the request for a confirmation, and then either passes the service request message onto server application software or drops the request, depending on the user's confirmation response. In soliciting and processing the confirmation response, query is formulated so that the required response cannot be automatically generated by software that attempts to automate and simulate the user's actions.

Abstract: Interface elements of a logic module are translated by renaming, adding dummy elements, and/or associating traps with dummy elements. Trusted parties are made aware of renamed interface elements and thereby allowed to properly communicate with logic module. Untrusted parties are kept unaware of the interface translation, with attempts to guess correct interface elements likely to fail, instead resulting in communication attempts with dummy elements and subsequent trapping of the untrusted parties.