- Who makes WinRAR and when it launched
- WinRAR's trial and licence, in plain English
- The WinRAR security flaws you should know about
- How to use WinRAR more safely
- Where to download WinRAR without picking up malware
- Is WinRAR safe on Mac, Linux and Android?
- Fake WinRAR pop-ups and scams
- My verdict on WinRAR
- Frequently asked questions
WinRAR is real, long-established software from Eugene Roshal's company, first released in 1995, so it isn't malware. But like any archiver it has had serious security flaws, and CISA lists one as known to be exploited. Safe use means downloading only from the official site and keeping it updated.
WinRAR is one of those programs everyone seems to have installed, and nobody remembers choosing. So it's fair to ask whether it's safe, especially with those "your trial has expired" pop-ups. I've read the official download page, Wikipedia's history of the software and CISA's entry on one of its flaws, and I'll be straight about both the good and the bad.
Who makes WinRAR and when it launched
According to Wikipedia, WinRAR is developed by Eugene Roshal of win.rar GmbH (RARLAB), and it was first released on 22 April 1995. It handles RAR archives, a format Roshal created, as well as opening many other archive types. It isn't a new or anonymous tool, which is a point in its favour.
The official download page at win-rar.com lists WinRAR 7.23 for Windows 64-bit, with builds in 39 languages, plus RAR 7.23 for macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Android. Wikipedia says WinRAR itself runs on Windows 7 or later, while RAR for Android is freeware and the command-line tools cover the other systems.
WinRAR's trial and licence, in plain English
Wikipedia describes WinRAR as trialware: you can use it without charge for 40 days, and the page says non-enterprise features stay available after that. So the program doesn't suddenly stop working. The reminders you see are about the licence, not a virus.
I won't quote a price because it can change; check the official site if you want to buy. The important safety point is that pop-ups asking you to pay should come from the program itself. A browser pop-up telling you to "update WinRAR now" is a different thing and a reason to be suspicious.
The WinRAR security flaws you should know about
Here's the part many "is it safe" pages skip. WinRAR has had real vulnerabilities, which is normal for software that opens files from strangers, but you need to know about them. Two examples with named sources:
- Wikipedia says CVE-2023-38831 and CVE-2023-40477 were critical flaws fixed in WinRAR 6.23 in 2023.
- CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue lists CVE-2025-8088, a path traversal vulnerability affecting the Windows version of WinRAR, added on 2025-08-12. CISA says an attacker could use crafted archive files to execute arbitrary code, and marks it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns.
Wikipedia also says WinRAR 7.23 fixed serious flaws in RAR and 7z decompression, and that support for ACE archives was removed in 5.70 after vulnerabilities in a library it relied on. In short, the maker does fix problems, but the flaws only help you if you install the updates.
How to use WinRAR more safely
The risk with archivers isn't that WinRAR is malicious, it's that a crafted archive from someone else can exploit an old, unpatched copy. So the sensible habits are simple:
- Update to the newest version from the official website. Old copies are the real danger.
- Don't open archives from senders you don't know, especially unexpected attachments.
- Be wary of password-protected archives in emails that tell you the password in the message.
- Keep your operating system and security software up to date.
The same caution applies to your accounts. If a suspicious file has already been opened and something feels off, my guide to spotting a hacked account lists the warning signs to check.
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Who makes it | Eugene Roshal of win.rar GmbH (RARLAB), first released in 1995 |
| Cost model | Trialware: 40 days free, features stay available afterwards |
| Latest version listed | 7.23 on the official download page |
| Known exploited flaw | CVE-2025-8088 on CISA's catalogue |
| Other platforms | RAR for Android is freeware; command line for macOS, Linux |
Where to download WinRAR without picking up malware
This is where most people get caught. Searching "WinRAR free download" returns plenty of lookalike sites, and some bundle extra software or modified installers. The official page is win-rar.com, and I'd type that address yourself rather than click an advert.
- Avoid "cracked" or "activated" WinRAR. A pirated installer is the classic way malware spreads.
- Check the file name and version against the official download page.
- Be wary of sites that ask you to run a separate downloader first.
- If your antivirus flags a file from a third-party site, delete it.
If you run a business, one cracked tool on a work laptop can become an expensive problem, which is why I'd read my tips on keeping hackers away from your business website as a sensible baseline.
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Is WinRAR safe on Mac, Linux and Android?
WinRAR itself is a Windows program, but the official page lists RAR 7.23 for macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Android. Wikipedia says RAR for Android is freeware and that the Unix and Android versions weren't affected by the 2023 flaws it names. Different platforms have different exposure, so check which build you have rather than assuming one fix covers everything.
If you only open the occasional zip file, you may not need a separate tool at all, and fewer programs on your computer means fewer things to keep updated. That's not a reason to avoid WinRAR, just an honest note that every extra tool is another thing to patch.
Fake WinRAR pop-ups and scams
Some scams use the WinRAR name to frighten you: a pop-up saying your computer is infected and you must download an update, or a phone number to call. WinRAR's reminders about a licence appear inside the program. A web page telling you to download a "critical WinRAR update" isn't the same thing, so close it and check the official site yourself.
My verdict on WinRAR
It's a real, long-standing tool and not malware. But being legitimate doesn't make an out-of-date copy safe, and CISA's listing shows its flaws can be abused in real attacks. Download from the official site, update it when new versions appear, and treat unexpected archives with suspicion.
Frequently asked questions
Is WinRAR free?
Wikipedia describes it as trialware, free to use for 40 days, with non-enterprise features still available after that. Check the official site for current licence terms.
Is WinRAR a virus?
No. It's an archiver first released in 1995. The danger comes from fake downloads and from opening malicious archives in an outdated copy.
Has WinRAR had security problems?
Yes. Wikipedia lists flaws fixed in 6.23 in 2023, and CISA lists CVE-2025-8088 in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue, so keep it updated.
Where should I download WinRAR?
From the official site, win-rar.com. Its download page lists WinRAR 7.23 for Windows 64-bit.
Does WinRAR work on a Mac?
The official page offers RAR 7.23 for macOS as a command-line tool, while WinRAR itself runs on Windows, according to Wikipedia.
