: Instead of opening it, right-click the file and select "Extract All..." .

Before opening any unknown ZIP file, follow these safety steps:

: If you want to see what is inside without downloading or extracting it to your system, tools like Tiiny Host allow you to preview ZIP contents in a browser. How to Safely Extract the File

: Select a specific folder where the files should be placed. This ensures you can easily find and manage them after they are uncompressed.

: Right-click the file and use your resident antivirus, like Windows Defender , to check for threats.

: Ensure Windows is set to "Show file extensions" to see the true nature of the files inside the archive.

Forensically Analyzing ZIP & Compressed Files | by Josh Lemon