Corrupted files are digital files that have become damaged or unreadable, often due to unexpected issues like power outages, software crashes, or hardware failures. When a file is corrupted, it may not open properly, display errors, or lose important data, making it difficult or impossible to use. Common types of corrupted files include documents, images, and videos. Various factors can contribute to file corruption, such as malware, improper shutdowns, or disk errors. To prevent corruption, regular backups and using reliable software can help protect important data from loss.