Can Antivirus Software Scan Zip Files for Viruses?
Yes, modern antivirus software is indeed capable of scanning zip files for virus presence. These programs can extract the contents of compressed files without necessarily unzipping the files as it is done normally. This capability is necessary to detect and mitigate threats that can be inside the Zip archives. When picking an antivirus, check if it is capable of scanning compressed files as this is a very important feature.
How To Scan Zip Files For Viruses And Zip Bombs?
A Zip File is a binary file format that creates a single file for multiple files for easy access as well as facilitates to sharing of large as well as multiple files over the internet. It provides user convenience in that it enables people to transfer, store, and share relatively small files. However, this convenience comes with a risk: Just like regular folders, zip files contain files and folders and might contain viruses, or a specific type of virus called zip bomb.
These threats are detrimental to the security of your computer since they can erase your data, freeze the operating system, or grant third parties access to information they are not supposed to see.
Here in our article, let’s follow through on how one can properly scan zip files for all these threats and how to ensure your computer’s safety. The preceding sections outlined the steps of using a good antivirus program, other stand-alone anti-virus programs, and online virus scanning services, in this part, there are other useful tips to avoid zip bombs.