A method of processing programming instructions may include identifying an instruction to be fetched; determining if the identified instruction is protected; if the identified instruction is protected, selecting an alternate instruction from a plurality of alternate instructions corresponding to the identified protected instruction, and fetching the selected alternate instruction; and if the identified instruction is not protected, fetching the identified instruction. Identifying the instruction to be fetched may include identifying an address stored in a program address pointer. Determining if the identified instruction is protected may include comparing the address stored in the program address pointer to one or more addresses stored in a first memory portion, and determining if there is a correspondence. Selecting the alternate instruction may include randomly or pseudo-randomly selecting an instruction from one or more corresponding alternate instructions stored in a second memory portion, and storing the selected instruction in the program address pointer.