RAR File Extension Information

As far as compression goes, the .RAR file extension signifies some of the best compression around. When we send or receive files over the internet we like the wait time to be minimalistic. Thankfully, we can compress files into a smaller size- and thus the .RAR file format comes into play.

.RAR and Compression: Where does it stand Against the Competition?

No doubt you've already heard of the .ZIP file format- one of the most common compression types in use today among Windows users. But the .RAR file extension is fast becoming standard among web users.

First, the .RAR format allows for an advanced pattern compression algorithm to make sure the resulting file is as small as possible, without damaging data. There is also basic error-checking, and a recovery record that allows files to be recovered even when archives become corrupted. The .RAR format supports more secure features than the .ZIP counterpart- from passwords to authenticity verification.

How to open .RAR File Extensions

To open a .RAR file, you will need one of several programs. WinRAR is a solution that, despite its name, is available on multiple platforms. All the major operating systems (Linux, Windows, and Macintosh) may use this tool. There are alternatives to WinRAR (some free) that will allow the same functionality, such as 7-Zip.

Thankfully, you may not even need a separate download to open .RAR files. Popular options for ZIP archives such as WinZip can extract .RAR files, but not create them. This is due to copyright laws, which have demanded that no other compression utility may be able to create .RAR archives. For creation of .RAR archives, one will need to use WinRAR- which is a shareware application (Free to try, costs to buy).

WinRAR is developed and maintained on the commercial level- so likewise, there are plentiful features to enjoy. WinRAR has support for advanced speed-enhancing techniques such as multithreading- which takes advantage of multiple processors at once.

The WinRAR application also holds a very strict security policy. A strong type of encryption is used to ensure protected archives aren't cracked. The only proven method of recovering the encrypted information is with brute-force and dictionary attacks, which are essentially rendered pointless with strong passwords.

The 40 day trial period of WinRAR will allow users to see if the program is worth the money. Since the file format is indeed proprietary- there is little other choice than to part with a little money in exchange for the right to create one's own .RAR archives.

Final Notes on .RAR File Extensions

Since compression utilities allow for users to compress multiple files and folders, there could be malicious code hiding in these compressed archives. This isn't usually a problem, since many antivirus and antispyware applications can search through compressed archives before they are processed- eliminating the threat before it's even opened.

It's commonplace to only accept compressed archives from trusted sources, but it's highly recommended that a security tool be used to ensure one's safety.