TechTalk: Beware Zip and RAR
 | Author:
Victor Sample
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Beware Zip and RAR Victor Sample Every weekday morning (Monday through Friday) I receive a tech newsletter with 10 – 15 articles about technology – mostly computer technology. Almost every newsletter has something about scams and malware.
Today’s newsletter talked about Zip files and RAR files. Both of these file types (extension .zip and .rar) are compressed, archive files They contain 1 or more (usually more) files that have been gathered into one file and compressed. A group of files that would be very large can be compressed into 1 file that is easily sent through email or downloaded from a website.
Zip files and RAR files are a very convenient way to distribute large files and they are heavily used on the internet.
BUT BEWARE!
I have periodically warned about receiving fake emails or texts from large, well-known companies like Walmart, Home Depot, UPS, etc. that are telling you that you have been selected for a prize. I have found “customer loyalty rewards” are a common come-on.
If you click on the supplied link you may be taken to a site that will download malware to your PC, Tablet or Smartphone. According to the article in the newsletter this morning, the use of Zip and RAR files have become the most common way to hide the malware and get you to download it. The criminals will usually say that there is paperwork you have to fill out to get the prize or maybe the prize is some software. For your convenience, they have compressed the “paperwork” into a ZIP or RAR file for you to download. An easy way to get you to download malware.
Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents have long been a favorite way to deploy malware; but, ZIP and RAR files have become more prevalent. It is especially dangerous to download Word or Excel documents that have been included in a ZIP or RAR file!
Always, Always, Always be careful about clicking on any link that is sent to you through email or text. Cyber criminals have become very good at making emails and websites look very professional and very much like the actual websites. DO NOT BE FOOLED!
If you do go to one of the sites and they want you to download a ZIP or RAR file be VERY WARY!
Terey Artz has taken over the Old Baldy Adult Ed program and is planning to have one or more sessions about “safe surfing”. Watch for an announcement of the Old Baldy Winter Adult Ed program.
