How Tiny Zip Bomb Files Can Cause Big Damage

Zip bombs are compressed files that are created by hackers to crash or disable your system when you open it. What makes zip bombs unique and so dangerous is the size-to-damage ratio since the malicious files are compressed to the smallest degree possible, but once opened will cause immediate trouble. In the last six months alone, NordVPN’s Threat Intelligence team detected more than 300,000 malicious zip files—meaning zip bomb attacks aren’t slowing down.

Let’s go over what a zip bomb is, how they work, and most importantly, how to protect your devices from them.

What is a zip bomb?

A zip bomb is a tiny file that can be as small as a few kilobytes (KB) that nests layers of compressed data. Once opened, the file expands to an alarming size and causes immediate operation failure. NordVPN‘s data shows that the three most likely types of files to contain malware are as follows.

.exe
.xml
.zip

Now, if you’re worried about falling victim to a zip bomb, rest assured, you have some powerful tools in your belt to help protect your devices from these small but mighty malicious files. But before we jump into the action, it’s important to understand the damage that can be caused by a zip bomb. Let’s dive into what could happen if you accidentally open a zip bomb.

What damage does a zip bomb cause?

A zip bomb will fill up your hard drive instantly, overload the RAM memory, and cause the system to be unresponsive and freeze. As the small compressed file expands, your hard drive will be filled and exhausted. Since the system’s RAM is being overwhelmed by the volume of data, it becomes overloaded. This all leads to your computer crashing, but all hope is not lost. Luckily, there usually isn’t permanent damage, and you can come back from a zip bomb attack.

How can you prevent zip bombs?

One of the best ways to protect yourself from zip bombs is by using antivirus software. Nowadays, many antivirus software programs can detect zip bombs by looking at the compression ratio. Since smaller files can sometimes bypass email filters, an antivirus software can add extra protection. Here are a few quick tips on how to prevent zip bombs and other malware.

1. Keep your software updated.
2. Use a secure browser like Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
3. Install antivirus software.
4. Add extra security features like safe browsing, antivirus, or firewall to your internet, router, or modem.

There are also internet providers that offer extra security with built-in antivirus software to help protect you and your devices from malware before the data even reaches your device. Features offered by internet providers, like safe browsing or firewalls, can create a first line of defense to protect against zip bombs and other digital traps. Some modem and router companies like Netgear, TP-Link, and ASUS offer subscriptions that also include these features to boost security, but you’ll need to purchase equipment first and pay a monthly or yearly fee on top of that.

Let’s take a look at the best internet providers that offer an extra level of security. Most of these extra security services are included with most plans, but always be sure to check for any extra fees before signing up.

Best internet providers for security

Signing up for an internet plan that includes additional security features adds extra levels of protection against zip bombs and other malware. Best-case scenario, these will be built-in to the internet plan, but some internet providers offer additional security for just a few extra dollars.

But there is always a chance of malicious zip bombs and malware attacks, no matter how many security add-ons you have. Let’s dive into what you can do after you open up a zip bomb.

Is there any hope after a zip bomb?

Luckily, most zip bombs won’t damage your hardware permanently, but the immediate operational failure isn’t something you can take lightly. You’ll want to force quit and end any task started by the zip bomb immediately. However, your screen and keyboard might freeze once malware begins unzipping. If this happens, do a hard reset and shut off your device as fast as you can.

Once you can get back on your computer, delete the original .zip file you downloaded, plus any temporary files that were extracted before you were able to shut your device down. Once you’ve deleted all the files, verify your storage and make sure it isn’t suddenly full. If it is, the malicious file successfully infiltrated your storage, and it will need a massive wipe. You can use a free program like WinDirStat, Disk Inventory X, or KDirStat to find the zip bomb and wipe it from your device.

Hopefully, you never have to deal with the aftermath of a zip bomb, but prepare and protect your devices with additional security software if you can.

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