How to password protect a zip file in Windows 11?

There are vulnerabilities and limitations associated when you passwords protect a ZIP files, particularly in the context of Windows 11 and similar operating systems. Here are the main points to consider:

Encryption Method Used

• Weak Encryption Algorithms: Many ZIP file formats, especially those created using older software, use weak encryption methods (such as ZipCrypto) that can be easily cracked with modern computing power. Even though some tools support stronger algorithms like AES-256, not all ZIP utilities use this by default.
• Password Strength: The security of a ZIP file is heavily dependent on the strength of the password used. Weak, easily guessable passwords can be compromised through brute force attacks.

Vulnerabilities in ZIP File Protection
Attackers can use various methods to crack ZIP passwords, including:

• Trying all possible combinations of characters can succeed over time, especially if the password is weak.
  Dictionary Attacks: Using a list of common passwords can quickly reveal weak passwords that users frequently choose.
• Traditional ZIP password protection typically does not include features like rate limiting (to slow down or prevent brute-force attempts) or account lockouts that are present in more robust security systems.
• Not all ZIP utilities implement encryption correctly, leading to potential vulnerabilities. Following industry best practices when creating and sharing password protected a ZIP files is crucial.
• Even with a password-protected ZIP file, metadata about the contents of the file (such as file names and sizes) may still be accessible without unzipping it, which can leak sensitive information.