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Chuckumer's avatar
Chuckumer
Iron Contributor
May 16, 2025

How to password protect rar file on windows 11?

Normally, I don't use the password protect for creating new .rar files. But at this time, I need to password protect rar because there are private and important data sheets to be sent to my client. M...
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Georgeooney's avatar
Georgeooney
Iron Contributor
May 16, 2025

One important thing you should pay attention to when password protecting a rar file is choosing the right encryption method. For RAR encryption, there are 3 popular options.

AES-256

Algorithm​​: AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with a 256-bit key.
​​Security​​: Extremely strong, widely trusted (used by governments and security experts).
​​Performance​​: Efficient encryption/decryption speed.
​​Compatibility​​: Supported by WinRAR 5.0+ and most modern archivers.
​​Best for​​: General use, high-security needs (e.g., sensitive documents, financial data).

Legacy ZIP 2.0 Encryption ​​

Algorithm​​: Proprietary (weak by modern standards).
​​Security​​: Easily breakable with brute-force or known-plaintext attacks.
​​Compatibility​​: Works with very old RAR/ZIP tools.
​​Best for​​: Only if you need backward compatibility with ancient software.

RAR5 Format

Algorithm​​: AES-256 + stronger checksum (SHA-256 for file integrity).
​​Security​​: More resistant to tampering than older RAR formats.
​​Performance​​: Slightly slower but more secure.
​​Best for​​: Maximum security with modern WinRAR (version 5.0+).

In short, if you want to password protect rar file on Windows or Mac, AES-256 in RAR5 format is the best choice.​​ Avoid legacy ZIP encryption, and always use a strong password.

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