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You downloaded something from the internet. It arrived as a ZIP. This is the default because ZIP is the one archive format every operating system opens without installing anything — Windows, macOS, and Linux all handle it natively. Phil Katz created it in 1989, and it has outlived almost every technology from that era.
ZIP uses lossless compression, so nothing is lost or degraded — your files come out byte-for-byte identical to what went in. It supports password protection, though the older ZipCrypto encryption is weak enough to crack with free tools. If security matters, use AES-256 encryption (7-Zip creates AES-encrypted ZIPs). ZIP's compression ratio isn't the best — 7z and RAR squeeze harder — but compatibility is king.
Windows Explorer, macOS Finder, and every Linux file manager open ZIP files with a double-click. For creating ZIPs, the same built-in tools work. 7-Zip (free, Windows) gives you more control over compression levels and encryption. If you're sending files to someone and don't know what software they have, ZIP is the only polite choice.