diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index d41ceaad..1da64fad 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ User visible changes for UPX
 
 Changes in 4.0.0 (XX XXX 2020):
   * Switch to semantic versioning
+  * SECURITY NOTES: emphasize the security context in the docs
   * bug fixes - see https://github.com/upx/upx/milestone/6
 
 Changes in 3.96 (23 Jan 2020):
diff --git a/README b/README
index cf912e6c..b21fdfd0 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -52,6 +52,17 @@ http://compression.ca/ .
 UPX aims to be Commercial Quality Freeware.
 
 
+SECURITY CONTEXT
+================
+
+IMPORTANT NOTE: UPX inherits the security context of any files it handles.
+
+This means that packing, unpacking, or even testing or listing a file requires
+the same security considerations as acutally executing the file.
+
+Use UPX on trusted files only!
+
+
 SHORT DOCUMENTATION
 ===================
 
diff --git a/doc/upx.pod b/doc/upx.pod
index e09f2a38..b0b6a4fd 100644
--- a/doc/upx.pod
+++ b/doc/upx.pod
@@ -44,6 +44,17 @@ Please report all problems or suggestions to the authors. Thanks.
 
 
 
+=head1 SECURITY CONTEXT
+
+IMPORTANT NOTE: B<UPX> inherits the security context of any files it handles.
+
+This means that packing, unpacking, or even testing or listing a file requires
+the same security considerations as acutally executing the file.
+
+Use B<UPX> on trusted files only!
+
+
+
 =head1 DESCRIPTION
 
 B<UPX> is a versatile executable packer with the following features: