Computer software authentication, protection, and security system

A method of altering an original executable program to form an altered executable program having increased security, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) inserting obfuscating code into a first number of predetermined areas of said executable program;
• and,
• (b) encrypting portions of said executable program for later decryption upon execution;
• such that, upon execution of said altered executable program, said execution includes the steps of;
• (c) decrypting the altered executable program;
• and
• (d) restoring said altered executable program to said original executable program.

A method of providing for a secure entry of ID data or input information in a computer system comprising:

• a. activating a visual display or animation or audio feedback (hereinafter called an audiovisual component) as part of said secure entry of said ID data or said input information so as to substantially hamper cumulation of a secure entry process;
• and
• b. audio/visual component feedback comprising at least two of:
• i) at least part of said input information;
• ii) at least part of information based upon some transformation of at least part of the software comprising said audio or visual component or the computer operating system upon which said audio or visual component operates.

A computer program product for requiring the entry of ID-data for access thereto, said program characterized by having an enhanced security structure or features to prevent ID-data eavesdropping or theft or to ensure authenticity, having:

• a computer readable storage medium for holding codes;
• and
• further comprising one or more of the following:
• code for preventing ID-data eavesdropping, by communicating directly with input hardware of a computer;
• code for preventing disassembly thereof, said code for preventing disassembly comprising obfuscating inserts, dummy instructions or executable encryption;
• code for preventing tampering therewith, said code to prevent tampering comprising:
• code for reading its own image including external or internal memory images or calculating check data associated therewith;
• and
• code for comparing said read image or calculated check-data with an authentic image or check-data to prevent execution-tracing, and code for disabling interrupts or for performing timing-sensitive instructions between interrupts;
• or,
• code for ensuring authenticity, by providing an audio or video feedback to an output device to be viewed or heard by an operator.

A method for enhancing the security of access to user identification data by software on a computer system comprising:

• using an obfuscating process to hamper or prevent eavesdropping;
• detecting tampering;
• and
• if tampering is detected, selecting an action of either disallowing subsequent entry of the user identification data into input routines or invalidating the user identification data in order to disallow current and subsequent access to the user identification data.