A method for processing data involving receiving a scrambled program and encrypted data including at least one control word used to descramble the scrambled program at a receiver/decoder operatively connected to a mass storage device. If a user does not initially have the necessary access rights, the scrambled program and the encrypted data are stored by the receiver/decoder. When the user obtains the access rights, the encrypted data is read and the at least one control word is extracted. The encrypted data is then replaced by the control word.