Sandboxie: An Introduction and a Quick Guide

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.

I am curious how does using sandboxie compare with using a virtual machine?

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.

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]