Scammers often use password-protected ZIPs to prevent antivirus software from scanning the contents before they are extracted. How to Safely Inspect the File If you must open it, follow these security best practices: Are Zip Files Safe to Open?
This prefix often refers to Game Data Packages used by engines like Quake, Unreal, or various Electronic Arts titles to store textures, sounds, and models.
Though rare on modern systems, a "Zip Bomb" is a small archive that expands into a massive amount of data, potentially crashing your computer.
Zip files are a common delivery method for malware because they can hide malicious executable files (.exe, .bat, .js) from immediate view.