Encryption & Security
Four encryption algorithms from legacy ZipCrypto to AES-256, plus a built-in password cracker for recovering forgotten passwords.
Encryption Algorithms
| Algorithm | Key Size | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| ZipCrypto | 40–64 bit effective | Legacy compatibility (less secure) |
| AES-128 | 128-bit | Good security |
| AES-192 | 192-bit | Higher security |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | Maximum security (recommended) |
Per-archive password protection with optional auto-encrypt for new archives.
Password Cracker
Recover forgotten passwords from encrypted ZIP files with two attack modes:
- Brute Force — try all character combinations with configurable character sets (lowercase, uppercase, digits, symbols, custom), min/max password length, and keyspace estimation.
- Dictionary — load a wordlist file with optional mutations: lowercase/UPPERCASE/Title Case variants, number appending (0–999).
Both modes support multi-threaded operation with real-time speed counter and progress display. Launch from Tools > Crack Password or BrutalZip.exe --crack archive.zip.
Creating Encrypted Archives
To create an encrypted archive: select your files, choose AES-256 encryption (recommended), enter a password, and create. The password is required to extract. For maximum security, use a strong password combining uppercase, lowercase, digits, and symbols.
From the CLI: BrutalZip.exe --create-aes files... prompts for a password and creates an AES-256 encrypted archive.