Private Online Tools

Drop your files hereto zip them with a password

Nothing is uploaded - the tools run right here

Password protect a ZIP file without uploading it

Put files or a folder in a zip that needs a password to open - here in this tab, with nothing uploaded.

How to password protect a zip file

  1. Drop your files or a folder in.
  2. Type a password and choose the encryption: AES-256, or ZipCrypto if it must open with a double-click.
  3. Save the zip, and send the password a different way from the file.

Why this one stays private

You put a password on a zip because what is inside is private: contracts, scans of an ID, payroll, medical records. Sending those to a website so it can encrypt them defeats the point - the site sees everything before the password goes on. Here the zip is made and encrypted inside this tab, so the only readable copy is the one already on your disk.

Questions

AES-256 or ZipCrypto - which should I choose?

AES-256 whenever the person opening it can use 7-Zip, WinRAR, Keka, The Unarchiver or a phone's file app: it is the same encryption banks use, and a good password makes it impractical to break. ZipCrypto is the old scheme Windows and macOS open with a double-click, but it can be cracked with free tools, so treat it as a lock against a casual look rather than a determined one.

Why does Windows say it cannot open my zip?

Windows Explorer and the Mac's Archive Utility only understand ZipCrypto, not AES. The zip is fine: open it with 7-Zip or WinRAR on Windows, or Keka or The Unarchiver on a Mac. If the person receiving it cannot install anything, make it again with ZipCrypto.

Can I protect a whole folder?

Yes. Drop the folder, or use 'choose a folder', and everything in it goes in with its sub-folders kept. The .DS_Store and Thumbs.db files your computer leaves behind are left out.

Are the file names hidden too?

No - a zip encrypts what is in the files but not their names, so anyone can list them without the password. If the names give something away, zip the files once, then protect that zip here: the names are then inside the encrypted part.

What if I forget the password?

There is no way back in, here or anywhere: nothing about the password is stored, and with AES there is no back door. Keep it in a password manager.

Is there a size limit?

Only your computer's memory, since the zip is built in the tab. A few gigabytes is fine on a laptop; on a phone, keep it smaller. Photos and videos are stored as they are, because they are already compressed and squeezing them again only takes longer.

Are my files uploaded?

No. They are read, compressed and encrypted inside this browser tab. Turn your Wi-Fi off after the page loads and it still works.

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