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29 July 2020  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Last update by Emma Johnson at 29 July 2020

Summary
Zip is a very common compressed file format. We usually pack many files into a compressed package and send it out. That will be very convenient. But the important files should be under protection. In this essay, we will talk about how to encrypt zip files.



Part 1: About Zip File

Zip is the widely used compressed file format used by many Windows users. At the same time, zip file is a good way to share documents and images by email because the original files can be compressed to the smaller size. That will be beneficial to sending and receiving. A single attachment is also easier for management, compared with a list of files.
how to encrypt zip file
So how do we encrypt a zip file to make it secure?

Part 2: How to Encrypt Zip File with 7-Zip/WinZip

1. Add Password to Zip File with 7-Zip

7-Zip is the archiver that can quickly compress files and encrypt zip files with the AES256 encryption technology. Here are the step:
① Open 7-Zip and select the target files. Then, add a password and click on [OK].
encrypt zip files in file compression software 7zip aes 256 encryption
② Next time, you should enter the password to unzip the file.
When viewing the thumbnails in File Explorer, you cannot distinguish whether the zip is encrypted until you open this zip.

2. Encrypt Zip File with WinZip

WinZip is a powerful, easy-to-use manager for compressed files. It is easy, quick to operate. Password is also able to be added for the zip files.
① Open WinZip and select the target files. Select the [Encrypt] option from the menu.
use winzip to compress and encrypt files
② Set a password and wait for compression.

3. Decrypt Zip File

Actually, the encryption and compression algorithms of zip files are not unbreakable. Any people can easily use the zip crackers and services to break the encrypted zip files. Advanced ZIP Password Recovery (AZPR for short) is the common password cracker developed by Elcomsoft. AZPR provides the clear interface where users can crack the password of a zip file easily.
how to encrypt zip file
All in all, encrypting a zip file with archiver is not safe enough since the password cracker works easily. How do we encrypt the zip files well? Let’s read the following part.

Part 3: Encrypt Zip File with Renee File Protector

Renee File Protector is professional file encryption software that uses the AES256 encryption technology. It can powerfully encrypt different kinds of files, providing strong protection for files in Windows.

Renee File Protector - Overall Protection to Your Data

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Compression transfer Support to compress and encrypt any files to secure the file transfer security.

Advanced self protection Provide self

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Free TrialFree Trial 800 users have downloaded and protect data!

1. Encrypt Zip File

① Open Renee File Protector . Click on [Encrypt File] under [Common]. Then, click on [Add File] or [Add Folder] to select the target files/folders. Next, select [Encrypt to gfl] or [Encrypt to exe].
• .gfl: The .gfl file should be opened with Renee File Protector. But there is no size limit when we encrypt files.

• .exe: The .exe file can be directly decrypted without Renee File Protector. But the file should be 4GB or less.
password protect files and folder with folder encryption software
② Choose the path to save the encrypted file and click on [Save].
encrypt to gfl in renee file protector lenovo data leakage
use renee file protector to encrypt the file as exe
③ Set a password to encrypt.
set password for the encrypted data in folder encryption software
④ Next time, click the encrypted file and enter the password to open.
enter the correct password to open gfl in renee file protector
open encrypted exe with renee file protector

2. Lock Zip File

① Open Renee File Protector and click on [Lock File]. Then, select the target files to lock.
use renee file protector to lock zip
② Next time, enter the password to open the file.
enter password to open the encrypted zip file in renee file protector
③ Also, click on [Unlock] to remove the password.
unlock the zip file in renee file protector
Note: In the settings page, you can set the file will be locked if the wrong passwords are entered for five times and you will be notified by email. That can greatly avoid the other people to crack your encrypted zip files.

Part 4: Encrypt Zip File with Renee SecureSilo

Renee SecureSilo is the software that encrypts and hides files. With the virtual disk and the advanced AES256 encryption technology, it can well protect the individual files. Therefore, we can lock and encrypt the zip files in the virtual disk created by this software.
Renee SecureSilo – Encrypt Confidential Data

Encrypt files in seconds Encrypt files with virtual encrypted disk and whole process can be finished in 1 second.

User friendly Concise interface helps users master the software in short time.

High Security AES256 encryption algorithm helps Renee Seecure Silo encrypt files confidentially.

Encrypt any Data Support to encrypt images, videos, Office documents and software.

Overall Data Protection Solution Protect data in USB disk/hide/disguise files/ Password wallet.

Easy to use Few clicks for whole encryption process.

User friendly Concise interface helps users master the software in short time.

Encrypt any Data Support to encrypt images, videos, Office documents and software.

Free TrialFree Trial 800 users have downloaded and protect data!
① Open Renee SecureSilo. Click on [Encrypt Files] > [Create Silo]. Name for the silo and select a folder to save the silo.
create a virtual disk in renee secure silo
② Set a password for the silo.
set a new password for the virtual disk in renee secure silo
③ When opening the silo, select [Read-Write] or [Read Only] to view the file.
open encrypted silo with renee securesilo
④ Drag the files into the silo when you want to encrypt and lock them.
check the zip files in silo
⑤ Click on [Close Silo] to lock.
click to close silo
⑥ Next time, you should enter the password to open the silo. Finally, unlock silo to view the encrypted zip file.
click to open silo