Method and device for protecting embedded memory

One embodiment of the present application includes a microcontroller (30) that has an embedded memory (46), a programmable processor (32), and a test interface (34). The memory (46) is accessible through the test interface (34). In response to resetting this microcontroller (30), a counter is started and the test interface (34) is initially set to a disabled state while an initiation program is executed. The test interface (34) is changed to an enabled state - such that access to the embedded memory (46) is permitted through it - when the counter reaches a predefined value unless the microcontroller (30) executes programming code before the predefined value is reached to provide the disabled state during subsequent microcontroller (30) operation.