Method and apparatus for enabling trial period use of software products: method and apparatus for utilizing a decryption stub

An apparatus for allowing selective access to an encrypted file, comprising:

• means for providing a plurality of files, the encrypted file being one of the plurality of files;
• means for attaching an unencrypted security stub, at least partially composed of executable code, to the encrypted file;
• means for locating the plurality of files in an accessible location;
• means for generating a user-initiated request for a called file in response to an action taken by a user, the called file being one of the plurality of files;
• means for translating the user request into a data processing system call;
• means for receiving the data processing system call using a file management program, wherein the file management program exists in (a) an active state or (b) an inactive state, the file management program being a component of an operating system;
• means for selectively accessing the called file from among the plurality of files utilizing the file management program, if the called file is has the unencrypted security stub;
• means for accessing the called file from among the plurality of files utilizing the file management program, if the called file does not have the unencrypted security stub;
• means for processing the called file in accordance with the user-initiated request, to the extent the called file was accessed, wherein access by the user to the certain ones of the plurality of files is controlled by the unencrypted security stub.