Abstract: Code of at least one software program is executed in a multi-processor computer environment. Each software program includes a first portion of software code to be executed in a computer, and a second portion of software code that includes one or more fragments of code of the software program. The second portion of code is executed in one or more external devices which are in communication with the computer. The second portion of code is encrypted, transferred to a secure computer environment, such as a smart card, and decrypted in the one or more external devices prior to execution. The fragments of code may be interspersed within the first portion of code.

Abstract: An arrangement to protect software, particularly freely distributed application software, against utilization without permission of the copyright holder. By encrypting the software employing a key (k1) which is different from that key (k2) which is employed in the decryption, better protection is obtained against unauthorized utilization when the decryption key is kept secret to the user. Further improved security is achieved by additionally executing scrambling-descrambling of the communication between the computer in which the software is utilized and the external unit in which the decryption key is stored. Also, the external unit is arranged such that it returns to the host computer, the result from its processing of data received from the host, the result then being utilized in the further execution of the respective program.