Everyday Computer Skills · Documents, PDFs & Printing · Lesson 4 of 5

Zip Files

Open a zip file, extract what's inside, and make one to send files.

What a zip file is

A zip file is one file that holds other files packed inside it. Think of it like a suitcase. The name ends in .zip, and the icon often shows a zipper.

Zip files are useful for two reasons:

• They put many files into one, so you send or download just one thing.
• They are often smaller, so they send faster. Making a file smaller is called compressing it.

You can double-click a zip file to look inside. But the files are still packed. You may not be able to change or save them yet.

To unpack them, you extract them. Extract means taking the files out into a normal folder.

1. Right-click the zip file. To right-click means to click the right mouse button.
2. Choose Extract All.
3. Click Extract. A new folder appears with the files inside.

To make your own zip, select the files, right-click, and choose Compress to ZIP file. On some computers, this is under Send to, then Compressed (zipped) folder.

On a Mac, double-click a zip to extract it. To make one, right-click the files and choose Compress.

On the practice computer, open Photos.zip, then click Extract all. Then select three files and compress them into one zip.

Zip files you didn't expect

Zip files are normal and useful. But scammers like them too.

A scammer can hide a harmful program inside a zip file. A harmful program like this is called malware. It can spy on you, lock your files or steal passwords. The zip makes it harder for email filters to spot.

So be careful with any zip file you didn't expect. Watch for these warning signs:

• An email from a company you don't use, with a zip attached.
• A message that rushes you: "Your invoice is attached, pay today."
• A zip from a friend, with an odd message that doesn't sound like them.
• Files inside that end in .exe. That ending means a program that runs, not a photo or document.

If a zip file surprises you, don't open it. Contact the person another way, like a phone call, and ask if they sent it.

Zip files you asked for are usually fine. Examples are photos from a family member who told you they were coming, or a download from a site you trust.

When you send a zip yourself, tell the person first. That way they know it is really from you.