Sometimes "stupid.zip" is actually "stupid.zip.exe". Make sure your file explorer is set to so you can see the true nature of the file. A ZIP file that is actually an Executable (.exe) or a Script (.vbs) is almost certainly a virus.

The most effective way to interact with a file like this is to delete it immediately. Malicious files often use "reverse psychology" or aggressive names to pique curiosity or shame a user into clicking. If you didn't specifically request this file from a trusted source, it is likely (a small file that expands to terabytes of data to crash your system). 2. Sandbox Testing

If you are on Windows Pro, use the built-in Sandbox feature which wipes itself clean the moment you close it. 3. Online Scanning

Before opening any suspicious ZIP, use a tool like . You can upload the file (or the URL where you found it) and it will be scanned by over 70 different antivirus engines simultaneously to tell you exactly what it contains. 4. Inspecting Extension Metadata