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It packs executable files

Packers are used to compress executable files, the file unpacks in memory then executes.

There is more than one advantage to packing files. Obviously, the smaller size of the executable file is one. Another is that when an executable is packed, it is much more difficult to use resource hacking programs on it. These programs allow you to change text in the dialog boxes, icons, sounds, string tables, etc. that are embedded in the executable file (without having the source code). If you try a resource hacker on a packed Windows executable, you will not see much more than the DOS stub. This is the part of the program that says 'This program requires Microsoft Windows' if you run it in a DOS session.


UPX is an open-source packer that has been in use for about ten years.

Posted by: Hugh Jass   Posted on: 02/09/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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