Patent ID: 6952777

Claim:
A method for protecting a security module, in which security-relevant data are stored, inserted on a device motherboard, comprising the steps of: monitoring proper insertion of said security module on said device motherboard with a first function unit, a second function unit and a third function unit in said security module; detecting at least one of improper use and improper replacement of said security module on said motherboard with said second function unit and, upon a detection of at least one of said improper use and said improper replacement, said second function unit causing said security-relevant data to be erased; during replacement of said security module, automatically setting said third function unit and inhibiting functioning of said security module with said third function unit as long as said third function unit is set; following at least one of proper use and proper replacement of said security module on said motherboard, re-initializing, with said first function unit, any erased, security-relevant data; and after said re-initializing, enabling each of said first function unit, said second function unit and said third function unit to re-commission said security module, including resetting said third function unit by said first function unit.