I would agree with you about Norton GoBack. Stay far, far away from it.
You might try one of the following approaches.
(1) Take a look at Sandboxie. You can sandbox selected applications.
(2) Take a look at Microsoft's SteadyState. Similar to Sandboxie, but I think the main difference is it works on the level of the entire Windows session. I think SteadyState's intended purpose is to preserve the state of shared computers in computer labs, kiosks or public computers, where you would want to prevent users from making permanent or unwanted changes to Windows, but an administrator might periodically want to update the baseline state (such as applying Windows updates).
(3) Use virtualization software such as Virtual PC, VMWare, or VirtualBox. Unlike the other two suggestions, these are not designed to allow/deny changes to your primary Windows installation. Instead, they allow you to setup an alternate Windows installation to avoid risk to your primary installation.
If you were testing a prospective application, the first two approaches above would have you testing the prospect against your primary Windows installation, but affording you the opportunity to discard the changes at the end of the test session if you decide not to keep it. In contrast, the third approach involves installing a second Windows (or even a non-Windows OS) installation as a virtual machine, testing the prospect there, and if you decide to keep it you would then reinstall it in your primary Windows installation.
Basically, after reviewing your reply, I realized that I am looking for more different programs like Sandboxie. Or it is the only one in this category? All what I need is to created isolated environment (not a complete separate OS - like vitual) for opening and installation testing of 1 program at time. And have option, based on proggy's behaviour, accept or deny changes to PC.
So, is there any more programs like Sandboxie (in terms of PC installation testing, not safe Internet browsing), do I have a choice, or I have to just take it as it is.
"I am looking for more different programs like Sandboxie. Or it is the only one in this category"
I use virtualization a lot, but don't really follow this particular subcategory and Sandboxie is the only one I've heard about. This is still a fledgling technology, so I think your choices might be rather limited until more people realize the value of sandboxing and virtualization. I suggest you try asking in one of the grc.com newsgroups. There's a lot of security-minded people there that have experience with this stuff.
dg1261
623 Posts
0
August 19th, 2008 07:00
I would agree with you about Norton GoBack. Stay far, far away from it.
You might try one of the following approaches.
(1) Take a look at Sandboxie. You can sandbox selected applications.
(2) Take a look at Microsoft's SteadyState. Similar to Sandboxie, but I think the main difference is it works on the level of the entire Windows session. I think SteadyState's intended purpose is to preserve the state of shared computers in computer labs, kiosks or public computers, where you would want to prevent users from making permanent or unwanted changes to Windows, but an administrator might periodically want to update the baseline state (such as applying Windows updates).
(3) Use virtualization software such as Virtual PC, VMWare, or VirtualBox. Unlike the other two suggestions, these are not designed to allow/deny changes to your primary Windows installation. Instead, they allow you to setup an alternate Windows installation to avoid risk to your primary installation.
If you were testing a prospective application, the first two approaches above would have you testing the prospect against your primary Windows installation, but affording you the opportunity to discard the changes at the end of the test session if you decide not to keep it. In contrast, the third approach involves installing a second Windows (or even a non-Windows OS) installation as a virtual machine, testing the prospect there, and if you decide to keep it you would then reinstall it in your primary Windows installation.
kisianik
893 Posts
0
August 19th, 2008 16:00
Basically, after reviewing your reply, I realized that I am looking for more different programs like Sandboxie. Or it is the only one in this category? All what I need is to created isolated environment (not a complete separate OS - like vitual) for opening and installation testing of 1 program at time. And have option, based on proggy's behaviour, accept or deny changes to PC.
So, is there any more programs like Sandboxie (in terms of PC installation testing, not safe Internet browsing), do I have a choice, or I have to just take it as it is.
Just a little bit more.
Appreciate for anyone's help.
Thanks
dg1261
623 Posts
0
August 19th, 2008 19:00
"I am looking for more different programs like Sandboxie. Or it is the only one in this category"
I use virtualization a lot, but don't really follow this particular subcategory and Sandboxie is the only one I've heard about. This is still a fledgling technology, so I think your choices might be rather limited until more people realize the value of sandboxing and virtualization. I suggest you try asking in one of the grc.com newsgroups. There's a lot of security-minded people there that have experience with this stuff.