I believe they are similar in their essential functions: both provide a "sandboxed" area --- a "virtual" environment --- in which programs can be run/tested, and then easily discarded in the event either of infection [which should be confined to the sandboxed/virtual environment], or to "undo" any temporary changes made solely for testing purposes.
Sandboxie offers an option to allow certain files to "pass through" into the real/system environment... which of course, has to be used with caution. For example, if you create a document in the sandbox you really wanted to keep, it's an easy transfer out. In my (admittedly minimal) usage of XP-mode (VM), I've found I had to go through contortions to do so.
One major point to ponder: If a person has installed a third-party VM, they should have comparable protection to one using Sandboxie. However, if one is using Microsoft's supplied "XP-mode" for their VM, they need to realize it will be no more secure than "real" XP in the near future, when Microsoft drops support for XP.
Take it for what it's worth: I can make no guarantee that Sandboxie will absolutely protect XP users in the future, with XP no longer being supported. But I do believe it's perhaps the single best way to attempt to harden one's system, for those who wish to risk continued online use of XP henceforth. I would also strongly advocate use of Zemana AntiLogger [Free]
iroc9555
2 Intern
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1K Posts
0
April 4th, 2014 12:00
Hi David.
Yes. Gizmo's has been in my bookmarks for many years. Besides excelent reviews, it has direct links to developers and download sites.
I am opening a topic about one theme we, in security, often forget to mention, but I am fond of.
msgale
2 Intern
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2.5K Posts
0
April 4th, 2014 19:00
ky331
3 Apprentice
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15.6K Posts
0
April 5th, 2014 05:00
I believe they are similar in their essential functions: both provide a "sandboxed" area --- a "virtual" environment --- in which programs can be run/tested, and then easily discarded in the event either of infection [which should be confined to the sandboxed/virtual environment], or to "undo" any temporary changes made solely for testing purposes.
Sandboxie offers an option to allow certain files to "pass through" into the real/system environment... which of course, has to be used with caution. For example, if you create a document in the sandbox you really wanted to keep, it's an easy transfer out. In my (admittedly minimal) usage of XP-mode (VM), I've found I had to go through contortions to do so.
One major point to ponder: If a person has installed a third-party VM, they should have comparable protection to one using Sandboxie. However, if one is using Microsoft's supplied "XP-mode" for their VM, they need to realize it will be no more secure than "real" XP in the near future, when Microsoft drops support for XP.
ky331
3 Apprentice
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15.6K Posts
0
April 12th, 2014 09:00
Just came across a nice post in the avast forum, where Sandboxie nicely saved the [XP] user from a drive-by attack involving multiple Trojan infections http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=148855.msg1081518#msg1081518
Take it for what it's worth: I can make no guarantee that Sandboxie will absolutely protect XP users in the future, with XP no longer being supported. But I do believe it's perhaps the single best way to attempt to harden one's system, for those who wish to risk continued online use of XP henceforth. I would also strongly advocate use of Zemana AntiLogger [Free]