Sixth day of the Ghacks Christmas Giveaway. We have handed out licenses to some very popular software appplications such as Newsbin Pro, MediaMonkey Gold or Kaspersky Internet Security in the last days. Today’s application is Sandboxie, a security software program that can run selected applications in a closed environment on the computer. Sandboxie is compatible with 32-bit editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2003 and can also be run on Windows 2000.
The software developer is providing access to a free version of Sandboxie on his website which has a few limitations compared to the commercial version.
As the name suggests Sandboxie makes use of the concept of so called sandboxes (also called virtual environments by some). The main advantage of running applications in a sandbox is that everything that happens in there stays in there. If you land on a website that uses a 0-day browser exploit to download and launch malicious code on your computer you can rest assured that the rest of the system – that is the part outside of the sandbox – will not be affected by the virus. And the sandbox itself can simply be cleared so that the malicious software has no means of affecting the computer system.
To make it even more visual: Sandboxie acts as a border that is impenetrable for applications that get started inside. Many of these applications usually interact with other system components, say a web browser that is storing cache on the hard drive or storing new bookmarks on the computer. Every attempt to interact with the computer system will be intercepted by Sandboxie and emulated so that the application “thinks” that everything is ok.
These changes on the other hand are not permanently and once the application or the sandbox have been terminated they are gone. But don’t worry: Sandboxie is still providing the means to save data that has been created or downloaded into the sandbox. Think of a document that you are downloading from a website, you might want to keep it even after the browser session closes.
It is possible to configure resource access rights for files running in the sandbox. These are left blank on purpose by default but it would be possible to allow the web browser Firefox to access its bookmarks file directly so that bookmarks get stored permanently. (There is an option in Sandboxie’s settings that allows direct access to the bookmarks of Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer and another setting for email clients.
The installation runs through without problems or user interaction. The system is ready to run applications in the sandbox right after installation. Sandboxie integrates itself in the right-click context menu (Run Sandboxed) and it is also possible to drag and drop applications into the program interface to run them sandboxed.
The control interface is listing the programs that are running in the sandbox. This is helpful because there is virtually no way of telling if it is running in a Sandbox by looking at the program window.
The commercial version of Sandboxie introduces several interesting and helpful features. It makes it possible to run multiple sandboxes on a computer system. This can be useful to launch set of tools in different sandboxes which is great to isolate programs further.
The Forced Folders and Forced Programs options become available after registration.
Forced Folders:
This options allows you to select folders (this can also be a drive letter) and force all applications starting from there to run in sandboxed mode. Some useful applications for this are CD / DVD drives or a downloads folder for Internet downloads.
Forced Programs:
Allows the user to select files that should always be run in sandboxed mode. This is very useful to make sure that an application is always running in the sandbox without having to launch it that way at every program start.
The developer of Sandboxie was nice enough to give us six licenses of his security software program. You should know the drill by know. Just leave a comment letting us know what you think / like about the program and you are eligible to win a copy of it.
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Nice probgram. But never heard of it and would like to try it.
Thanks
Sandboxie is the s…t.The only security program that i’ve bought.The registred version whith the forced folders,files option is great.
An Amazing program… Every Software I run or test goes through sandboxie…
1. If you install in a Sandbox then your original Registry stays clean.
2. How many times have we all been conned with false popup windows (Run the web browser in a sandbox and once your done wipe the sandbox clean and your ready for a new day)
3. Anything that you run under a sandbox stays in a sandbox so… MMORPG Games that crash on a system from time to time due to any kind of problem just run it inside the box and no worries.
Definitely Thumbs Up on this one…plus the sites forum for support is worth way more than the price you’ll pay for the software.
And no I am not affiliated with Sandboxie.. I just know what I like and this Software is in my top 5.
Shawn
I have always wanted to give Sandboxie a shot, but never have yet; I guess I just am not familiar with the operations of the program. However I would love to try it with full functionality!
It’s a really nice program especially if you or you children like playing games trial or other games, and also love trying new programs this is the best program to use,that way you computer is always safe and clean.
Sinceely Melanie
I would DEF love to get this one, please! =) =) =)
Useful when you dont want eating memory antispyware / antivirus
it’s light and working
(but dont ever connect to a computer running sandboxed vnc server ^^)
Sounds like what I have been looking for to keep my system clean. Will give it a try now. Thanks!!
I love this program!
Sandboxie is a goood thing when you try out iffy PC-Games …
Would like to try the Pro Version.
Yup, a very useful app!
I am using the free version from version 2 and still using it! Its the best program to test softwares and everything..you know ;-) without harming my pc. I test all kinds of stuffs. I once used it to download from rapidshare unlimited as a free user, but that trick is not working anymore with it.. But i’ll really love, if i own the pro version, thanks Martin for keeping this software in your giveaway list! :-)
Its first time when I hear about this program, will try it 100%!!!
It would be ferry nice to win the commercial version of sandboxie. Its main program of choice.
Sandboxie is ideal for testing out applications without risking your systems health. EG: Install an app, check if it works OK, then see if it runs when you copy it out of the sandbox into a normal folder. If it runs you have a handy portable app! Browsing is as safe as swimming in a wet suit. Super fast start up and idiot-proof system integration (right click a file and choose ‘Run Sandboxed’. Simple and perfect with it.
Nice just installed Vista Ultimate 64bit & save me messing something up.
This one is one of my favourites! Really worth of every cent spend to register it!
Leo Laporte and Steve Gibson interviewed Ronen Tzur, the author of Sandboxie on their Security Now podcast (episode 172). http://media.grc.com/sn/sn-172.mp3 After the interview, Steve discusses the technical workings of Sandboxie. Start listening about 35 minutes into the episode for the interview.
It sounds like a really nice program.
I never heard of it – let me win ;)
I’ve always wanted something like this!
This is the only way to really make your computer secure, short of reinstalling the system daily.
I use the free version. :D
Nice program, using the free version
GREAT !!! This is the BEST program ever !!
It’s also the best Anti-virus program !!!
I REALY hope I get this :D
(THANKS GHACKS !)
Please
i didnt hear abt dis pleas give me dis i want a try
looks like a great piece of software, i will try this out for sure
I’m on
Excellent app, let me play in the sandboxie please?
Interesting app, would like to give it a whirl.