If you are worried about the contents of a RAR file, scan the file with your antivirus software before extracting its contents. Therefore, it’s important to use safe downloading practices when handling RAR files. For example, there’s a chance that compressed PDF files have a virus.Ī RAR file from an unsafe source could contain many different types of malware, including: However, if you're not sure about the source, then there is definitely a chance that one or more files are unsafe, even if others in the RAR file are valid. If you are downloading a RAR file from a legitimate source, the files contained within the RAR are likely safe. When you download a RAR file, you are actually downloading multiple compressed files.

Sharing a large number of files at once.

Keeping sensitive and private files password-protected.Storage of large documents or other files.Storage of software and other online content downloads.At any time, you can extract the data from the RAR file and use the files as per usual. RAR files can also be password-protected and encrypted, so the contents of these files are only accessible to those who know the password.

RAR files can be used in multiple ways, but the primary advantage of RAR files is compression.īecause the data within a RAR file has been compressed down to a smaller size, download times are much faster and the data takes up much less space on your drives – meaning fewer costs associated with storage. It holds your files like normal, but in a compressed state that requires specialized software to open and extract. In essence, a RAR file is similar to a normal folder on your computer. What are RAR files?Ī Roshal Archive Compressed, or RAR file, is a compressed file that contains multiple files and folders inside of it. rar extension, you might be a little confused by what it is.

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