: Some security or backup software uses hashes to uniquely identify snapshots of data.

Security experts at Proofpoint and other organizations warn that unexpected compressed folders (.zip, .rar) are common vectors for malware. Do not open it.

A file is a compressed archive that holds one or more files and folders in a smaller size for easier storage or sharing. You generally need software like WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract its contents. 2. Common Sources for Hashed Filenames

Filenames like "996997c39af8ed82" are often used in the following contexts:

To help you further, could you share or what you were looking for when you encountered it?

However, based on the extension and common patterns for these types of filenames, here is what you should know and how to handle it: 1. What is a .rar file?