Connected folders are user-selected directories that an application is allowed to read from, and sometimes write to, instead of getting access to the entire filesystem. This is a common permission model for desktop assistants, backup tools, and cloud-sync apps because it limits what the software can see and change. On macOS and similar systems, it is part of the broader idea of scoped access: the user explicitly chooses which folders the app may use.
From a security perspective, connected folders reduce blast radius. If the app is compromised, it should only expose the files inside those approved paths, not a whole device. But the boundary is only as strong as the permissions granted. Attackers may try prompt injection, malicious documents, or social engineering to get a user to connect a sensitive directory. Defenders should review which folders are linked, keep access narrow, and treat folder connection prompts as meaningful privilege decisions rather than routine setup steps.