Have you ever noticed that for the last couple of years all the security vendors (Anti-Virus companies) are in a race to add “Sandboxing Technology” to their “Security Suits” along with the “Anti-Virus” and “Anti-Spyware” components. Have you ever wondered why? If you want to know how you can stay protected using the sandbox technology, then you are in the right place. This article is for you.
In computer security, a sandbox is a security mechanism for separating running programs. It is often used to execute untested code, or untrusted programs from unverified third-parties, suppliers, untrusted users and untrusted websites.The sandbox typically provides a tightly-controlled set of resources for guest programs to run in, such as scratch space (Scratch space is space on the hard disk drive that is dedicated for only temporary storage) on disk and memory. Network access, the ability to inspect the host system or read from input devices are usually disallowed or heavily restricted. In this sense, sandboxes are a specific example of virtualization.
In simple words it can be said that “A sandbox is an isolated zone designed to run applications in a confined execution area where sensitive functions can be tightly controlled, if not outright prohibited. Any installation, modification, or deletion of files and/or system information is restricted.”
How Sandbox can provide you Security =
As I have mentioned before , A program running under a sandbox can’t modify any file reside outside the sandbox. Now suppose you are running a program ( say a web browser) under a sandbox to browse the web. Now suppose you clicked a Malicious Link and your computer got infected with a virus. In normal condition the game is over for you, but since you are running your browser in a sandbox therefore all the Malicious activity is trapped within the Sandbox. You can now delete the sandbox and your system will be as good as before. This is the magic of sandbox technology.
Best Free Software to look at =
Till now as far as I know Sandboxie is the best free Sandbox software available in the market. Of course there are several other solutions available but I personally use Sandboxie. The program itself is a little complicated to use but if you spend some time you will be amazed to see the possibilities and security it provides.
Is Sandbox is the only security Software I will ever Need =
The answer is NO, Sandboxing a program provides a great security, no doubt about that but it is definitely not a alternative to your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware program. Infect you can use it along with your Anti-Virus software for maximum security.
Author: Nirab Sarma
Nirab Sarma is the Author and the Founder of "Learn With Nirab" and he loves blogging and social networking. You can connect with Nirab on Twitter , Facebook and also on Google+