How to Encrypt or Password Protect a Zip File ?

For data safety : In today’s time of technology, data speaks more than words and hence you can find several business models based on it. And when it comes to the data saved in the organization’s systems, then it is very evident that the same can be read and accessed easily by nearly every employee.

Sometimes, it might create problems in terms of data theft or information leak to unintended viewers. Any unencrypted file can be viewed by double-clicking and all of its contents made available. Therefore, to prevent such mishaps, provisions of encryption or archiving have been provided by the computer systems.

This is called zip and we would be discussing it in detail, for our blog of the day.

The need for zipping the files

There can be different reasons to zip a file and make its contents accessible only to the intended viewers. The following lists down the primary ones:

• Zip files act very well in organizing different files of single-purpose under one common folder. Therefore, it makes it very easy for the file management system and you do not have to worry about accidental deleting of some of the contents.
• Zip files act as backups to sensitive data and can be retrieved in situations of a privacy breach or data theft.
• Zip files make it very convenient to send the group of files in a go to the recipient, rather than having to attach the files one by one and face the unnecessary inconvenience of slow internet.
• With the list of files getting zipped, it saves up space in the device memory, and accordingly, you can think of deleting the duplicates.

Therefore, be it for personal or business use, the process of zipping comes in handy for both of the parties.

How to Encrypt or Password Protect a Zip File

Going for Windows Zip encryption

This method is applicable for the Windows users, who have access to the default zipping software of the OS. Follow the steps given below to execute it:

• Select the list of items that need to be added to the zip file.
• Right-click on one of the files and then go to the option showing the software name->Add to archive.

• Choose a name for the zip file and select the destination folder where it is to be saved. Otherwise, it gets stored in the very same location where all of the files are present.
• Select zip in the archive format option and then go for encrypting it with a password.
• You can select the encryption method at the bottom right option and click on OK.

Thus, the process takes up some time to get executed, and finally, you get the files/folders encrypted and secured within a common folder.

Going for Mac Zip encryption

For Mac users, you need to download iZip software before proceeding with the next steps. Post this, go for the following:

• Launch iZip and then go to create an archive.
• Choose the name of the folder that you want to give and then hit on the create option.
• Enable password protection option and then enter the password twice to ensure that the zip created would be encrypted.
• If required, you can go for the option of Extra encryption (but it might affect the overall quality of the files).
• Press next to continue and then select the type of encryption required (AES 256 bit being the most preferable one).
• Press Next and then you would be prompted to select the files and folders that need to be zipped. Do so and hit on Next.
• Keep following the prompts and finally, the process would get initiated.

Eventually, the files would get converted into a zip format and password protected only for intended users.

Going for Android encryption

You can also zip the files on your Android device. Just install any of the preferred zip software’s from Google Play Store and follow the steps given below:

Download B1 Archiver from Google Play Store

• Select the list of items that need to be zipped and encrypted.
• Go for the option of Zip that appears at the top of the screen.

• Fill out the details asked in the window (similar to the previous types).
• Hit on OK and then the process would get initiated.

Therefore, you can encrypt your files easily on any of the devices (mobiles, Windows PCs, or Mac devices).

One thing to keep in mind

In the majority of the cases, you would be given two types of encryption options- ZipCrypto and AES 256. Go for the latter, if the nature of files is highly sensitive because it takes time for the entire process to get completed and ultimately provides the best protection to your files.

With this, we conclude on our ways of password protecting a zip file. Let us know of your queries or concerns in the comments section.