How to secure your Files

Steps Using WinRAR

Step 1

Launch WinRAR and use the integrated file browser to locate the files and folders you want to archive. Select the items to archive and then press the Add button to display the Archive Name And Parameters dialog.

To select everything, press Ctrl-A. To select several files and folders, hold Ctrl and click each item.

Step 2

Type a name into the Archive Name field, click ZIP in the Archive Format section and then select the compression method from the Compression Method drop-down box -- select Best for maximum compression or Store if you don't want to compress the items at all.

Click the Set Password button to display the Enter Password dialog.

Step 3

Type the password into the Enter Password and Reenter Password For Verification fields and then click OK to apply the changes. Click OK again to create the ZIP archive.

Steps Using WinZip

Step 1

Open the folder that contains the files and folders you wish to archive in File Explorer, select the items, right-click one of the files and select Zip and Share (WinZip Express).

To select everything, press Ctrl-A. To select several files and folders, hold Ctrl and click each item.

Step 2

Type a name for the ZIP archive into the Type A Name field, ensure that ZIP is selected in the Compression Type section and then check the Encrypt Files box in the Encryption section.

Check only the My PC/Cloud box in the Share/Save Options section and then click the Create New Zip File button.

Step 3

Use WinZip's file browser to select the folder where you want to save the archive and click Select Folder.

Type the password into the Enter Password and Re-enter Password (For Confirmation) fields and click OK to create a password-protected ZIP file.

Steps Using 7Zip

Step 1

Launch 7Zip and use its built-in file browser to select the files and folders you want to archive.

To select everything in a folder, press Ctrl-A; to select only some files and folders, hold Ctrl and click each item.

Click the Add button to display the Add To Archive dialog.

Step 2

Type a name for the archive into the Archive field, select ZIP from the Archive Format drop-down box and then type the password into the Enter Password and Reenter Password fields.

Steps Using Mac Command Line

Step 1

Launch the Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder

Step 2

Use following command:
zip -e [archive] [file]
zip -e archivename.zip filetoprotect.txt
For zipping an entire folder use
zip -er [archive] [folder]
zip -er ~/Desktop/encrypted.zip ~/Documents/Confidential/

Step 3

Enter and verify the password – don’t forget this
For unzipping a file
unzip filename.zip