- How To Password Protect A Zip Folder
- Mac Os Zip With Password
- Zip With Password Mac
- Add Password To Zip File Windows 10
How to create a password protected zip folder on Mac No downloads - Duration: 3:20. Create a Password-protected ZIP File in Windows 7, 8, or 10 - Duration: 2:37. Follow these steps to create a password-protected archive file for any file folder of your choosing: Step 1: Download the open-source 7-Zip compression program from the provider’s website and install the software on your system. The standard Archive Manager (File Roller) application included with Ubuntu and other GNOME-based desktop environments does have an option to create password-protected zip files. However, the underlying zip command used still uses the old, weak encryption instead of strong AES encryption.
What is a ZIP file and why are they used?
A ZIP file is a compressed file, it is also referred to as an Archive file. This ZIP file is mainly used to compress or shrink a large file to a smaller volume. The use of ZIP files can also allow the user to consolidate and compress multiple files to be able to transfer the file via mail or portable storage drives. This article guides you on how to create a ZIP file on your MacBook.
How to Create a ZIP file on Mac
Creating a ZIP file on your MacBook is very simple. Follow the steps mentioned below to successfully compress the file.
Steps to compress a single file
- Right-click on any file that you wish to compress
- Choose Compress from the pop-up
- This will create a compressed ZIP file with the original file name.
Steps to compress multiple files
- Hold the Command key and select all the file that you wish to ZIP
- Right-click on the highlighted files and choose Compress from the pop-up menu
- By doing so all the files will be shrunk to a single file with the name Archive.zip
How to shrink multiple files with the specified file name?
Sometimes having a file named archive might confuse you while accessing or identifying the ZIP file. To avoid this confusion here is what you can do.
- Hold the Command key and select all the files to be compressed on your MacBook
- Right-click on the files and choose New Folder with Selection (X items) here X indicates the number of files you have selected.
- Now give the folder a suitable name of your choice and hit enter to create the new folder
- Finally, right-click on the newly created folder and select Compress from the pop-up
This way you can successfully create a ZIP folder of all the files with the name of your choice.
But having more number of files within a single folder can also be a problem. Because you cannot compress files or folders that are more than 4 GB in size.
Is there an easier way to compress large files or folders?
Yes, with the Remo ZIP File on your Mac, there is no limitation to the number of files that can be compressed. What’s more impressive is, you also get to split large files and specify the size of each ZIP file.
How to Create Password Protected ZIP Files in Mac Terminal
The above-mentioned steps will now allow you to create files that are encrypted. Suppose you have a set of confidential files, you can create a ZIP file and protect the files with a password using Terminal. Here is how you can do it.
- Type Terminal in the search box, and click on the first result
- In the Terminal window, type cd desktop. (Here Desktop is the destination where you are creating the new ZIP file or folder) you can choose where you want to save the file by specifying the exact path
- The newly created ZIP file will be stored in the Users folder, if you don't specify any destination
- Next, type zip -e name.zip<space>filename.fileextension (Note: Here name is the name that you want to give the new ZIP file and filename.fileextension is the name of the file or folder you want to compress). Next, hit Enter
- You will be asked to provide the desired password for the file, give a password, and hit enter.
Next, you need to verify the password by re-typing the password. Once done press enter. - Finally, your password-protected ZIP file will be created and saved in the specified destination folder
With the above steps, you will be able to create a ZIP file that is secure or password protected.
However, there are limitations to manual methods. Also compressing a file by Terminal command could be very tricky, and time-consuming. You might also corrupt your precious files if not done the right way.
What is the best and safest way to encrypt and compress files on Mac?
To overcome this limitation, you can certainly take the aid of Remo ZIP file for your Mac computer. This tool can password protect your files using the Advanced Encryption Standard(AES), which keeps your data safe from any security threats. The tool is compatible with all the versions of macOS including the latest Big Sur. Download and try the software for free now.
Conclusion
ZIP files are one of the best ways to archive files that can save a lot of space on the drive. The steps mentioned above can help you to create a ZIP file on your Mac. If you have any doubts or questions related to the topic please mention them in the comment section below.
Would you like to prevent unauthorized people from accessing sensitive data that you store on data servers and shared computers, or send via email? Then it’s best to use password-protected archive files, like those in ZIP format.
You can password protect ZIP files on both Windows 10 and macOS. However, the range of functions provided by your system’s password-protection tools are limited. For this reason, we recommend using external software.
Password Protect ZIP Files with Windows System Tools
Microsoft Windows 10 provides a feature for password protecting files and folders which is integrated in the operating system. Windows password protection can also protect ZIP files from unauthorized access, without having to use third-party software. To activate password protection for your files, follow these steps:
Windows password protection is only available in the editions Microsoft Windows 10 Pro, Education, and Enterprise, not in Windows 10 Home.
Step 1: Using the right mouse button, click on the ZIP file that you would like to password protect.
Step 2: In the shortcut menu, select the “Properties” option to open the file properties.
Step 3: In the “General” tab, click on “Advanced” in order to open the “Advanced Attribute” dialog window.
Step 4: In the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window, select the check box next to “Encrypt contents to secure data”.
Step 5: Close the “Advanced Attributes” dialog window by clicking on “OK” and save the change in file properties by clicking on “OK” or “Apply”.
The file icon now displays a padlock. This indicates that the corresponding file is password protected. But what does this actually mean?
After you have activated password protection, you’ll note that you can still open the file without a password prompt. File content can also be displayed and processed without changes. Nevertheless, the file is password protected – with a key generated by Windows that is stored in your user account.
You have access to the file as long as you are logged into your user account. By contrast, other users will be denied access. This can be very practical in many situations. However, only in a few application cases does it serve as a password-protected ZIP file. For instance, this feature is not intended for sending password-protected ZIP files. For this, we recommend using a compression program with an encryption feature.
Encrypting File Folders with macOS Standard Tools
Though it’s true the Apple operating system macOS does not offer any native features for password protecting ZIP files, you can however protect the directories – in which ZIP files are located – as image files. To do so, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a new folder in Finder – macOS’ standard file manager.
Step 2: Relocate all ZIP files that you’d like to protect into the folder you just created.
Step 3: Open the macOS hard drive service program. You can do this via Spotlight search.
Step 4: Click on “File” in the menu bar above and choose “Image from Folder” under “New Image”.
Step 5: Choose the folder you created at the beginning that has the files you wish to protect and click on “Open”.
Step 6: Give the image a name and choose a save location.
Step 7: Choose the type of encryption:
- 128-Bit-AES encryption (recommended)
- 256-Bit-AES encryption (more secure, but slower)
Step 8: Enter a password of your choosing and confirm entry by clicking on “Choose”.
Step 9: Make sure that the image format is set to “Compressed” and complete the process by clicking on “Save”.
The encrypted image is created in .dmg format in the save location you specified.
Select the image by double-clicking on it and entering your password to access the password-protected file.
An open .dmg file is displayed as an integrated drive in Finder.
Eject the image via Finder if you are no longer using the protected files. Otherwise, they will remain accessible without a password prompt.
To make sure that your data is protected from unauthorized access, you should delete the unencrypted original data.
Password Protecting ZIP Files with Third-Party Software
Since the options for each operating system are limited, we recommend using a third-party program. For example, we have chosen 7-Zip, a free packer application with a high compression rate and reliable encryption. It creates archive files in the 7z, TAR, WIM, and ZIP formats. The program’s encryption feature is available for 7z and ZIP files.
Follow these steps to create a password-protected archive file for any file folder of your choosing:
Step 1: Download the open-source 7-Zip compression program from the provider’s website and install the software on your system.
7-Zip is automatically integrated into the Windows Explorer shortcut menu.
Step 2: Using the right mouse button, click on the file folder that you would like to encrypt.
Step 3: Choose “7-Zip” in the shortcut menu and click on “Add to archives…” in the pop-up menu.
How To Password Protect A Zip Folder
Step 4: In the packer program’s configuration mask, you’ll find the required settings for the save location, archive format, compression strength, compression method, and encryption.
Enter a password, then enter it again.
Mac Os Zip With Password
In archive format, 7z is available with AES-256-bit encryption. This can also be used for password protecting ZIP files. What’s more, the latter can be encrypted with the ZipCrypto algorithm.
Opening an archive file that has been password protected with 7-Zip requires you to enter a password.
Zip With Password Mac
Windows users often utilize the WinZip packer program for password protecting ZIP files. The programs WinRAR, Peazip, Bandizip, and Ashampoo Zip Free also offer encryption features. We provide you with a detailed comparison of the range of features in our article on the most popular WinZip alternatives.