1 Why Encrypt a ZIP File?

When and why you'd want to do this.

Encrypting a ZIP file locks it with a password so only people who know the password can open it. This is essential when you're emailing sensitive documents — financial records, personal information, contracts, or anything you wouldn't want a stranger reading if the email went to the wrong person.

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Important: Send the password separately! Never put the password in the same email as the ZIP file. Send the password via text message, phone call, or a separate email. If someone intercepts the email with the ZIP, they won't have the password.

2 Step-by-Step: Create Your Encrypted ZIP

Choose your operating system.

Using 7-Zip (Free)

1

Select the files you want to compress

Open File Explorer and select the files or folder you want to put in the ZIP. You can select multiple files by holding Ctrl and clicking each one.

2

Right-click → 7-Zip → "Add to archive…"

This opens the 7-Zip archive creation window with all the options you need.

3

Configure your settings

Archive format: Select "zip" from the dropdown (this ensures maximum compatibility — everyone can open ZIP files).

Encryption method: Select "AES-256" (this is the strong encryption). Do NOT use "ZipCrypto" — it's an older, weaker method.

4

Set your password

Type a strong password in the "Enter password" field. Re-type it in the confirmation field. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Make it at least 10 characters long.

5

Click OK

7-Zip creates the encrypted ZIP file in the same location as your original files. You can now email it or share it.

Using WinZip

WinZip makes this even easier with a visual interface. Open WinZip → drag files in → check "Encrypt" → set password → save. It uses AES-256 by default.

Using Terminal (Built-In, No Install Needed)

1

Open Terminal

Press Command + Space, type Terminal, press Enter.

2

Navigate to your files

Type cd followed by a space, then drag the folder containing your files into the Terminal window. Press Enter.

3

Create the encrypted ZIP

Type: zip -e archive.zip file1.pdf file2.pdf

Replace "archive.zip" with your desired name and list the files you want to include. To add all files in a folder: zip -er archive.zip foldername/

4

Enter your password

Terminal asks for a password and confirmation. Characters won't appear as you type — this is normal. Press Enter after each.

Using Keka (Free App)

Download Keka from keka.io. Open Keka, set format to ZIP, enter a password, then drag your files onto the Keka window. Done.

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3 Tips for Strong Passwords

Make your encryption actually secure.

Length matters most. A 12-character password is exponentially harder to crack than an 8-character one. Aim for at least 10–12 characters.

Avoid obvious choices. Don't use "password123" or your company name. Don't use dates that someone could guess.

Use a passphrase. Something like correct-horse-battery-staple is both strong and easy to communicate over the phone. Random words strung together are surprisingly secure.

Always use AES-256. If you see an option for encryption method, always choose AES-256. The older "ZipCrypto" method can be broken with freely available tools.