An increasing number of e-mail clients have anti-virus software which deletes executable files from a zip archive attached to an e-mail. The file is typically saved as zero bytes and renamed with a .txt extension. This is a great way to prevent someone from accidentally running a virus, but its not good if your trying to e-mail an executable program.
One way around this is to include a password when you zip your files. The password will prevent an anti-virus scanner from snooping in your archive and deleting important files.
Before you open password protected zip files, only open files from sources that you know are safe. Even then, a good virus scanner with up to date virus definitions should be running in the background. It is possible that people you know can send virus infected files to you. It only costs $40 for the anti-virus software which will give you peace of mind.
