> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hex-rays.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hex-rays.com/9.0/user-guide/disassembler/packed-executables.md).

# Packed executables

Many malware authors attempt to obfuscate or protect their program by packing them. In these tutorials, we show how IDA can be made to handle such program.

* Learn how to tackle a [difficult executable](https://github.com/HexRaysSA/docs/blob/main/user-guide/disassembler/packed-executables/using-ida-debugger-to-unpack-an-hostile-pe-executable.md) from the normal user interface.
* Learn how to use the “universal” PE unpacker plug-in (PDF) included in IDA 4.9

{% file src="/files/ZtmMnK5tPPPGjSM6yhP8" %}
Download a tutorial about PE unpacker plugin
{% endfile %}


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