A ZIP file is an archive that stores multiple files and folders in one file, typically using lossless compression such as Deflate. Windows, macOS, and Linux can all open them.
Why it matters
ZIP makes it easier to send many files at once and reduces size for text-like content. Already compressed formats such as JPEG, MP4, and PDF shrink little. ZIP can include password protection, though older legacy encryption is weak, so use AES encryption or a stronger tool for sensitive data.
On Linux you will also meet tar.gz, which combines archiving and compression in two steps.
Example
$ zip -r site-backup.zip public_html/
$ unzip -l site-backup.zip | tail -1
412 filesThe first command packs a folder, the second lists its contents.
Common mistakes
- Opening ZIP attachments from unknown senders; they can hide malware.
- Expecting large size savings on images and video.
- Trusting legacy ZIP passwords as strong protection.
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