Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting an abnormal use of a security processor invoked by at least one receiving terminal in order to control access to a scrambled digital content supplied by at least one operator to said receiving terminal. This method comprises the following steps: analysing security processor use during a preset observation period TObs, determining on the basis of said analysis the mean value MECM of the number of invocations per time unit of said security processor during said observation period TObs, comparing said mean value MECM with a preset threshold Smax, and if the value MECM is greater than the threshold Smax, applying to said terminal a sanction whereof the level of severity increases progressively.