Apparatuses and methods for decrypting encrypted data and locating the decrypted data in a memory space used for execution

Abstract

An encrypted-data decrypting apparatus that provides enhanced security protection for programs and data while they are in the processes of decryption to execution after having been encrypted. When a decrypted partial program needs to be loaded into the shared memory M, the controlling unitloads it into an area indicated by the memory location information. According to the memory location information, a plurality of partial programs are sequentially loaded into an area so that one partial program gets overwritten by another; therefore, none of the partial programs exists in the memory for a long time, and thus there is less possibility of having the partial programs referred to illegitimately. In addition, since every time some data is decrypted, the decryption support program authenticating unitconfirms authenticity of the decryption support program P, it is possible to prevent having illegitimate references in which the decryption support program is abused.