The embodiments provide for binding files to an external drive, a secured external drive, or portable data locker. The files are bound in order to help restrict or to prevent access and modification by certain computers or users. Computers or users that are authorized or within the authorized domain are permitted full access. The files stored on the external drive may be bound in various ways. The files may be encapsulated in a wrapper that restricts the use and access to these files. The bound files may require execution of a specific application, plug-in, or extension. A computer may thus be required to execute program code that limits the use of the secured files. In one embodiment, the external drive provides the required program code to the computer. In other embodiments, the required program code may be downloaded from a network or provided by an external authority.