Introducing Sandboxie
 

Dear Forum Members

For those that have read my previous postings over the years will know that I am very seriously security minded when it come to protecting my computer, so much so that I currently have more than six protective apps on my PC.

Included in that armada of protection is one that I think is the most important of all, and that is Sandboxie (currently on version 3.60).

The reason why I like this application so much is because it actually prevents secretly downloading malware from infecting your machine by keeping it isolated, regardless of what it is or suppose to do. As far as the malware is concerned it is on your machine but it can't run or do anything, and so when you close your browser anything that has been downloaded in that session is instantly deleted.

As far as I am aware, Sandboxie will work with any and all browsers, items within the sandbox can be virus checked. Therefore, stuff you have actually downloaded can be checked before being copied/cut and pasted into an un-sandboxed area of your HD to permanently keep.

The next thing I like about Sandboxie is that you no longer have to worry about safe surfing because with Sandboxie protecting your browser you can go anywhere. Once your browsing session is finished and your browser closed all the debris that's been collected is gone as well.

Sandboxie comes in two flavours, the basic free version where you are allowed one sandbox per browsing session but you can use multiple application linked to that sandbox. In this instance the sandbox will not auto delete until the last app is closed.

The second paid flavour allows you more control over applications, i.e. whether they open with or without sandboxie, and enables you to have more than one sandbox open at a time.

I will say that my review may not give you everything you want so here is the URL where you will learn more and download this application for a trial run.


And, for those that do not know me, I am willing to answer any non-technical question about this product, my answers will be strictly based on my experience of using the free version.


UK Bob

i do not too much here as you but i am gonna ask you at least one question as far asprotecting one's pc!
would you at least give me th e best way to protect a pc!

Hi khono

I'm not quite sure I understand your question, i.e whether you are web hosting or want protection from web hosting.

However, I will say this, unlike other protective apps which will try to remove a problem once it is on your PC Sandboxie prevents malware, and anything else, from ever getting to your machine.

Sandboxie works by sand boxing (quarantining) an area of your hard disk, this area looks and behaves like your PC to invading "drive-by" malware, but these "drive-bys" are unable to run. When you have finished your browsing session, and closed your browser, everything that is in the sandbox is then deleted.

A word of warning, Sandboxie cannot protect you from malware, whether "drive-bys" or deliberate downloads, already on your PC or by using an unprotected (sandboxie enabled) browser.

Finally, sandboxie will work with any browser of which I have three, Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer but I primarily use sandboxie with Firefox.

Let me know if you have any other questions.



UK Bob

UK Bob, I see that Sandboxie has version 4.02 out already. Would you suggest I stick with 3.60 for an older computer.
Also another question if I may, I've got a real old PC also (the first of the HP media centers) from about 2004. What browser would work the best for it w/out crashing? Firefox? And what version? Thanks!

Hi Sleepybear91

You have asked two questions, which I will try to answer to the best of my current knowledge.

First, you said:I would say that if you have a powerful PC (dual core processor) with plenty of ram then you can use Sandboxie 4.02. I, however, have a three year old PC with an Intel i3 540 dual core CPU with 4GB Ram and I use Sandboxie version 3.76.

The second question was:To be honest, I can't really answer that question because the browser I would recommend will depend on the O/S and ram in your PC.

So, if you have WinXP (Home or Pro) on your old PC then you will need to put in as much ram memory as the motherboard will allow (which you should be able to now get at a very cheap price).

Next, you should go along to the following website: Old Version Downloads - OldApps.com Download several old versions of your favourite browser, install and uninstall each browser version as necessary until you find the right one for your PC.

Hope this helps


UK Bob

Thanks again Bob. As for old apps, I'm going to try Firefox for the 2005 media center
what version of it would you suggest?