Compression of files using utilities like WinZip and WinRAR is very common technique and has been in use since long. But very few know that you can also password protect your important files using WinRAR to keep them from prying eyes. Here’s how you do it.

1) Open WinRAR and browse to the folder where your important files are located using the drop-down navigation method shown below and click ‘Add’ button on top. Alternatively, if you have integrated WinRAR in your context menu, you just need to select your files in Windows Explorer, right-click and select ‘Add to archive…’

2) A new window will appear. Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab and then click on ‘Set Password’ button. Enter desired password and for better security, check ‘Encrypt file names’ and click OK. Click OK again.

A new password protected and compressed file will be generated. When you try to open it, it will ask for the password. You can use this quick method for transferring sensitive files over the internet too.