A file binder is a program that can bundle files of multiple types together and allow them all to execute when the user opens the bound module. This can have entirely innocent or more malicious applications. Binder programs are available from a number of sources, and some are free or based on an open-source platform to allow users to tweak them to suit their needs. Most come with basic instructions to assist the user with file binding tasks.
One reason to use a file binder is to hide files. This can be a security measure in some settings, and in other cases, it can have malicious applications. For example, a hacker could set up a file binder as part of an executable module. The module might claim to be a piece of harmless software, so the user opens it, unwittingly triggering the malicious code embedded inside. The binding makes it impossible to spot the dangerous software until it is too late.
File binders can also have useful applications. Some software comes with a readme file embedded in the executable module. When the user opens it to install the software, the readme also pops up to provide the user with some basic and important information. This can increase the chances that the user will actually look at the file. If the readme is simply extracted during installation and quietly moved to the program finder, the user will need to actively seek it out.
Some binders act undetectably, making them ideal for hackers, crackers, and other people with malicious designs on computer users. Users will not be able to determine that a file binder was used to prepare a module, and this allows the hacker to insert dangerous material without risk of discovery. This risk makes it important for people who download software to exercise caution. They should use reliable sources that routinely screen their software downloads for any signs of malicious code that could cause damages for users.
Numerous file binder designs can be adapted for various purposes. Standard versions are available on websites that compile programs for download, and people may also release custom versions with their own tweaks. Customized software is not necessarily stable, reliable, or safe, and people may want to think carefully before they download it, especially if the source is not well known. While some software customizers are entirely innocent and only want to improve products, others may have other intentions in mind.