Buzz
RAR is a compressed file format capable of holding hundreds of other files. It's widely used because it can compress large amounts of data efficiently, while also offering strong encryption. With just a few clicks, you can protect your RAR archive with a password. Without the correct password, unauthorized users won't even be able to see the file names inside the archive.
Steps to Follow
On Windows
Download and Install WinRAR. This program allows you to create RAR files and protect them with a password. While WinRAR isn't free, you can try it for 40 days before needing to purchase a license. You can download it from rarlab.com/download.htm.
- Find additional installation details online for WinRAR.
- Avoid the "Get WinRAR FREE with TrialPay" option, as it could install unwanted adware on your system.
Add files to a RAR archive. There are several ways to do this:
- Open WinRAR and browse for the file you want to add. Select all files and click the "Add" button.
- Select all the files you want to compress on Windows. Right-click the selection and choose "Add to archive..."
Give your archive a name. By default, the compressed file will be named after the folder that contains the original files.
Click the .Set password... (Set password) in the General section of the "Archive name and parameters" window. This window will appear when creating a new archive file.
Enter your password. Type the password twice to confirm it. You can check the "Show password" box to reveal the characters you’ve entered.
- You can find more details online about creating a strong password.
Check the "Encrypt file names" box. This ensures that no one can see the names of the files inside the RAR archive until they enter the correct password.
Click .OK to save your password. Click the OK button in the "Archive name and parameters" window to create a new RAR file.
Double-check. After creating the RAR file, you can double-click it to try again. When extracting the file, the system will prompt you to enter the password you created.
On Mac
Download and install Simply RAR. This lightweight compression program can help you create RAR files with ease. It isn't as powerful as WinRAR on Windows because the RAR format was developed by RARLAB, the creators of WinRAR software.
- WinRAR is also available for Mac, but it is in beta and only works via Terminal. You can download it from rarlab.com/download.htm. Be cautious with the "Get WinRAR FREE with TrialPay" option, as it may install adware on your computer.
Launch the SimplyRAR program. A new window will appear allowing you to add files to the RAR archive.
Adding files to a RAR archive. You can simply drag and drop any files you want into the SimplyRAR window to add them to the list of files to be compressed and stored.
Check the "Password protect" box. This action notifies SimplyRAR that you wish to set a password while creating the RAR file.
Enter a password. Once you check the box, you will be prompted to create a password. You need to type it twice to confirm it.
- You can find more detailed information online about how to create a strong password.
Click "Create RAR". The system will ask you to name the file and choose where to save it.
- Note: Unlike WinRAR, there will be no option to encrypt the file name when setting a password for the RAR file.
Verify the file. After creating the RAR file, you can double-click it to test it. When extracting the file, the system will prompt you to enter the password you created.
