Processbeskyttelse

Processbeskyttelse refers to techniques and mekanisms that prevent interference with a running process. It is used to protect the integritet, konfidensialitet og tilgjengelighet of critical software, such as operativsystemtjenester, sikkerhetsagenter, DRM-komponenter and other trusted code. Protection can be achieved through a combination of code signing, integritetskontroller, restricted privileges, memory protections and controlled inter-process communication.

On Windows, a notable approach is the concept of Protected Process (PP) and Protected Process Light (PPL). Protected processes run with enhanced restrictions that limit how other software can attach, lese eller terminate them; only other protected processes and the operating system are allowed to interact under strict rules. PPL is a lighter variant with a smaller set of allowed interactions. These mechanisms help prevent tampering by malware or uautorisert debugger, but they also introduce challenges for compatibility and development.

Other platforms offer related protections. macOS bruker System Integrity Protection (SIP) og Hardened Runtime to limit what system and third-party processes can do at runtime. Linux provides containment and protection through features such as namespaces, seccomp, and capabilities, which can restrict a process’s systemkall og privileges.

Use cases include DRM, sikkerhetsprogramvare, anti-cheat-systemer og kjerneprosesser som krever robusthet mot manipulasjon. Potensielle ulemper inkluderer redusert debuggingmulighet, kompatibilitetsproblemer for programvare som trenger dyp systemtilgang, og risiko for at for restriktive beskyttelser kan utnyttes til å hindre legitim bruk. Prosessbeskyttelse er dermed et balanseakt mellom sikkerhetsmål og operativ fleksibilitet.