Method and computer-usable medium for determining the authorization status of software

A computer-implemented method for determining the authorization status of object code comprising:

• linking program object code with a plurality of function object codes to produce an executable file;
• generating a first signature data block, wherein said signature data block comprises information about said executable file;
• and
• executing said executable file, wherein during said executing, said plurality of function object codes cause a first data packet to be periodically sent to a driver level to maintain an authorized status of said executable file.

A computer-usable memory having computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform a method for determining the authorization status of object code, said method comprising:

• a) executing an application program embodied in an executable file;
• b) during said executing, said application program periodically sending a first data packet to a driver;
• c) updating a counter for each periodic interval within which said first data packet is not received;
• d) resetting said counter in response to said data packet being received;
• and
• e) revoking said authorized status of said executable file if said counter reaches a predetermined value.

A computer-usable memory having computer-readable program code embodied therein for causing a computer system to perform a method for determining the authorization status of object code, said method comprising:

• linking program object code with a plurality of function object codes to produce an executable file;
• generating a first signature data block, wherein said signature data block comprises information about said executable file;
• and
• executing said executable file, wherein during said executing, said plurality of function object codes cause a first data packet to be periodically sent to a driver level to maintain an authorized status of said executable file.