OK. I've mentioned this program before in a few anti-virus threads but thought that I should at least do a post about this program.
What is Sandboxie? It basically creates a 'virtual' drive that it separate and isolated from your system. Whenever you wish to run a program, like an Internet Browser, for example, it will copy the program into the virtual drive and will then run the program out of that folder.
What this means is that any malicious software, buggy script, cookies, whatever will be stored in the virtual drive. When you've finished browsing you can then configure the program, if you wish, to delete the virtual drive in its entirety (although for ease I normally just delete it manually every fortnight or so).
I cannot recommend this program enough. In fact I would go so far as saying that it is my favourite windows program just because of how flexible it is.
Can you use it to create private folders. Yes. Can you use it to test install downloaded programs. Yes. Can you use it to test program updates before applying them. Yes.
I've been using this without any form of virus protection (other than windows firewall) or Windows Defender for years now without any problems. I even put it on my dad's and sister's computers.
This is the free version although they do offer a paid version for automatic sandboxing of programs. I'm hoping that this post is going to give me the impetus to actually buy this as I've never actually felt a need to (other than to support development).
2 things to remember with the free version. One is to make sure that the program is running sandboxed and that any files you have saved are opened sandboxed. The other is to remember to move anything out of the sandbox that you wish to keep before deleting the sandbox! (I've got burnt a few times with that one!).
Anyways, its just something to consider if, like me, you were used to running anti-virus protection.
All comments (35)
3guesses
11 Apr 17#1
Thanks for the heads-up. Sounds like it should have a lower resource overhead than an actual anti-virus program, so I think I'll take a look.
redondo
11 Apr 17#2
Thanks for posting
can you open a suspicious email and maybe the link in that email in the "sandbox" and how would you do that if you are using Firefox or Google Chrome ?
repouk
11 Apr 17#3
Great piece of software :face_with_monocle:
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
11 Apr 17#4
I have been using this for years and it is a great piece of software. Good post!
jadamso
11 Apr 17#5
Yes (although i have no idea as to the consequences to your actual email account). Basic rule-of-thumb for me is any suspicious email i ignore - period. In terms of the link I would copy the url, log out of my email account and then paste and go. Just make sure that whatever program you wish to open it with e.g. chrome is running sandboxed BEFORE going into your emails!
single_lonely
11 Apr 17#6
using this software could i download any exe (generators) from the net and open them in sandbox with out any repercussions? thanks
hkkaxe
11 Apr 17#7
this can help with internet anonymity?
B_T
11 Apr 17#8
Sandboxed or not, don’t access any links from doggy emails – If you do then the sender will know he/she has a real email address and you could be deluged with spam.
skykid3
12 Apr 17#9
No, sandboxie isn't a privacy tool, you would need to use something like Tor browser
amour3k
12 Apr 17#10
Decent category of Animal this. :-)
Stumbled across this cool Product some years back purely by accident!, while on the hunt in searching for something else, unrelated (I think?, can't remember, it was just under a Decade or so ago now?, lol), but, after crossing paths with this SandBoxie stuff, I recall trying earlier incarnations of it out on 1 or 2 things at the time, and to say I was mightily impressed, is and understatement!.
Even though I had some sort of theoretical idea as to what it's true power was meant to be, I as yet at the time had no clue for sure as to what that was exactly? (I was still a SandBoxie newbie, lol), but recommended still. :-)
For all you iDevice peep's out there?, your iDevice's (via your iOS OS has SandBoxing Technology built-in to it's 'core', to create those 'protected' download's, installations, and/or folder's in the very first place - which it impressed me when I found that truth out about 5 years back?, lol), it's a bit of a shame though that the Android Platform never saw itself as crossing paths with this Technology in some way too unfortunately? (as a LINUX version for SandBoxie does actually exist, so, in retrospect, an Android version, is actually viable?, we will see?, hopefully, lol). :-)
A MAC version for this is also available too.
Anyways, that's my 2 Cent's worth, lol. :-)
amour3k
12 Apr 17#11
Cool Emoji you have there, lol, are you a Gamer?, or ..... :-)
Not really a gamer anymore, but I made this account a while ago. Its Tekken.
nigelbutler
12 Apr 17#19
Can anyone recommend a decent free Antivirus program?
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
12 Apr 17#20
Avast everytime - recommend for many of my clients. Some people complain that it hogs system resources but I have never found this to be the case - indeed, it is usually the user's fault due to their poor ability to configure correctly.
It is actually easy to set up and use and is consistently in at least the top three in independent tests.
It also knocks spots off some commercial products.
Alternatively, if you have a Barclays account, you can get Kaspersky for free.
Hope this helps.
amour3k
12 Apr 17#21
NICE!, thanx. :-)
amour3k
12 Apr 17#22
What of AVG Anti-virus too?, what are your thoughts (out of curiousity?).
And if i'm not mistaken, you're able to get Kaspersky for free also, if you have a Natwest account? (now to think of it).
Super4
12 Apr 17#23
I've used this software for a few years now, it's useful for programs that you only need to use once but dont want to fill your pc full of PUA's (potentially unwanted applications / spyware), such as the vouchers that some company's offer but you have to install their printing software etc... Use it, when you've finished right click and "empty sandbox" and the programs gone :smile:
cifa
12 Apr 17#24
thanks OP AntiVirus ? I moved from Avast as I was having issues with it - I am happily using Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition: bitdefender.co.uk/sol…tml
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
12 Apr 17#25
Pros and cons for each really, which cancel each other out although Avast has the edge and a far better interface.
However, Avast acquired AVG last year (I think it was something like a billion dollars) so it is difficult to see how things will pan out now that it is a subsidiary of Avast.
Kaspersky isn't half bad and if you can also get it through Natwest then so much the better.
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
12 Apr 17#26
For a realistic comparison with Avast you would really need to look at a paid-for version of Bitdefender I guess.
gavin1
13 Apr 17#27
There are many ways malware can get into your system, web surfing, email, port scanning, dodgy peer2peer sites, or even on infected USB/CD's, to gain protection from every possible route in you need to sandbox everything. Given there are many free AV programs, Microsoft even bundles Defender in with Windows now, you would be ill advised NOT to use AV.
Even the best AV will not catch brand new threats, it takes time to get samples, analyse them and get the the updated out, but it can (and does) frequently stop many old bits of malcode that still circulate on the internet...
3guesses
13 Apr 17#28
But if you have a good firewall and sandbox your browsers, then surfing should be safe without employing an anti-virus?
MrBeansDrivingInstructor
13 Apr 17#29
It would be a very foolish person indeed who genuinely believed that the only way for a computer to be compromised, attacked or infected is through a browser or a non-firewalled programme connecting to the internet.
3guesses
13 Apr 17#30
If all you use the computer for is browing the web using a sandboxed browser?
jadamso
13 Apr 17#31
Safe is a relative term. I run most programs that access the Internet sandboxed without an anti-virus or windows defender running and have never had a problem that hasn't been fixed by clearing the sandbox. BUT I also have well-partitioned drives, I have the actual sandbox on a separate drive to my system drive and I also make regular back-ups which I then scan with an anti-virus program.
The simple answer is that there is no one way that is guaranteed to protect you 100% (apart from maybe running a LiveOS i.e. an OS like Puppy Linux loaded into RAM and cleared on shutdown).
The point of this post was to try to make people aware that there are options other than constantly running an anti-virus program.
As other people have mentioned there are all manner of nasties that can enter your computer and even an anti-virus program is only as good as its database.
It really comes down to 'Horses for Courses'. I got sick of the system hog that was anti-virus/defender etc and would prefer to rely solely on Sandboxie for day-to-day protection. Other people may not.
gavin1
14 Apr 17#32
Malware writers write malcode for a living,. they are no longer poeple in bedrooms, with the rise of the cryptolocker family of code, its a high financial gain buinsess and they can pay for the best poeple. Heck there are even groups now that run it as a service, they do the code, and guarantee it runs for a % age of your profit. Sounds odd but they get money but don't have to take as many risks or chance it being traced back to their servers.
The writers know about sandbloxes, and many malware will be able to detect if its in a VM or sandbox and not execute the payload, or wait until its out of the sandbox before executing. Some are even know how to get out of specific VM/sandboxes.
At the end of the day its you computer and your data, how you use it is up to you, but you should at least consider what the results of your chopices could be.
Crossbow
14 Apr 17#33
Thanks, been a long time since I tried Opera. Didn't know it came with a VPN included, but free usage gives one only 600Mb per month. Found the free & unlimited Tor a bit too slow.
3guesses
14 Apr 17#34
That was pretty much my thinking. I actually use separate PCs for "recreational" computer activities, and it would be handy not to have to run an anti-virus progam on them.
DARKKi
16 Apr 17#35
Thanks for posting this, i forgot all about Sandboxie!
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
What is Sandboxie?
It basically creates a 'virtual' drive that it separate and isolated from your system. Whenever you wish to run a program, like an Internet Browser, for example, it will copy the program into the virtual drive and will then run the program out of that folder.
What this means is that any malicious software, buggy script, cookies, whatever will be stored in the virtual drive. When you've finished browsing you can then configure the program, if you wish, to delete the virtual drive in its entirety (although for ease I normally just delete it manually every fortnight or so).
I cannot recommend this program enough. In fact I would go so far as saying that it is my favourite windows program just because of how flexible it is.
Can you use it to create private folders. Yes.
Can you use it to test install downloaded programs. Yes.
Can you use it to test program updates before applying them. Yes.
I've been using this without any form of virus protection (other than windows firewall) or Windows Defender for years now without any problems. I even put it on my dad's and sister's computers.
This is the free version although they do offer a paid version for automatic sandboxing of programs. I'm hoping that this post is going to give me the impetus to actually buy this as I've never actually felt a need to (other than to support development).
2 things to remember with the free version. One is to make sure that the program is running sandboxed and that any files you have saved are opened sandboxed. The other is to remember to move anything out of the sandbox that you wish to keep before deleting the sandbox! (I've got burnt a few times with that one!).
Anyways, its just something to consider if, like me, you were used to running anti-virus protection.
All comments (35)
can you open a suspicious email and maybe the link in that email in the "sandbox" and how would you do that if you are using Firefox or Google Chrome ?
Stumbled across this cool Product some years back purely by accident!, while on the hunt in searching for something else, unrelated (I think?, can't remember, it was just under a Decade or so ago now?, lol), but, after crossing paths with this SandBoxie stuff, I recall trying earlier incarnations of it out on 1 or 2 things at the time, and to say I was mightily impressed, is and understatement!.
Even though I had some sort of theoretical idea as to what it's true power was meant to be, I as yet at the time had no clue for sure as to what that was exactly? (I was still a SandBoxie newbie, lol), but recommended still. :-)
For all you iDevice peep's out there?, your iDevice's (via your iOS OS has SandBoxing Technology built-in to it's 'core', to create those 'protected' download's, installations, and/or folder's in the very first place - which it impressed me when I found that truth out about 5 years back?, lol), it's a bit of a shame though that the Android Platform never saw itself as crossing paths with this Technology in some way too unfortunately? (as a LINUX version for SandBoxie does actually exist, so, in retrospect, an Android version, is actually viable?, we will see?, hopefully, lol). :-)
A MAC version for this is also available too.
Anyways, that's my 2 Cent's worth, lol. :-)
opera.com/com…ter
Or Opera Developer found here also:
net.geo.opera.com/ope…per
Not sure if (other than TOR, an/or OPERA of course), other cool viable alternatives/similar likes exist?. :-)
The latest version of both Sandboxie and Kaspersky seem happy to live together.
Great program this, especially if kids use your PC.
shadesandbox.com/
It is actually easy to set up and use and is consistently in at least the top three in independent tests.
It also knocks spots off some commercial products.
Alternatively, if you have a Barclays account, you can get Kaspersky for free.
Hope this helps.
And if i'm not mistaken, you're able to get Kaspersky for free also, if you have a Natwest account? (now to think of it).
AntiVirus ? I moved from Avast as I was having issues with it - I am happily using Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition: bitdefender.co.uk/sol…tml
However, Avast acquired AVG last year (I think it was something like a billion dollars) so it is difficult to see how things will pan out now that it is a subsidiary of Avast.
Kaspersky isn't half bad and if you can also get it through Natwest then so much the better.
Even the best AV will not catch brand new threats, it takes time to get samples, analyse them and get the the updated out, but it can (and does) frequently stop many old bits of malcode that still circulate on the internet...
The simple answer is that there is no one way that is guaranteed to protect you 100% (apart from maybe running a LiveOS i.e. an OS like Puppy Linux loaded into RAM and cleared on shutdown).
The point of this post was to try to make people aware that there are options other than constantly running an anti-virus program.
As other people have mentioned there are all manner of nasties that can enter your computer and even an anti-virus program is only as good as its database.
It really comes down to 'Horses for Courses'. I got sick of the system hog that was anti-virus/defender etc and would prefer to rely solely on Sandboxie for day-to-day protection. Other people may not.
The writers know about sandbloxes, and many malware will be able to detect if its in a VM or sandbox and not execute the payload, or wait until its out of the sandbox before executing. Some are even know how to get out of specific VM/sandboxes.
At the end of the day its you computer and your data, how you use it is up to you, but you should at least consider what the results of your chopices could be.