How do You Open Programs Safely on PC?

I have noticed in the past members here and in other forums that talking about running certain programs in a virtual sandbox or a virtual machine on their pc to prevent any possible virus infection from the file. Can someone please tell me how to set one of these virtual machines up on my windows pc?

Thank you for the help.

Download Virtual PC 2007 from Microsoft. Then, go onto your local torrent website and download an ISO for Windows XP. Should be pretty basic...

Hey thanks for the info websicosys!

I actually have a valid windows xp key that is not in use, is there a way to download a legit copy of xp from microsoft that I can just activate after installing?

that or try vmware its free

vmware player is what you want. It's free and much faster then Virtual PC

http://www.sandboxie.com/

TheGoat said:

vmware player is what you want. It's free and much faster then Virtual PC

Click to expand...

Did you actually use it? Don't think so, since vmware player does not allow to create vmware images, just open existing ones, as the name suggests.

I would go for virtualbox, free & easy.

cooooookies said:

Did you actually use it? Don't think so, since vmware player does not allow to create vmware images, just open existing ones, as the name suggests.

I would go for virtualbox, free & easy.

Click to expand...

Actually, I think the newest version of vmware player can create images.

virtualbox is really good, vmware player and vm esxi have their good points too, microsoft virtual pc is a virtual piece of shit

peace,
gregs.

You don't need to create images, there are image templates out there for free that anyone can use and copy and reuse with vmware player and all within the bounds of the license agreement too.

for most stuff sandboxie will do it
if you want to be sure a VM will do the job.

Both can be broken but that's usually not the case

So vm player creates a isolated virtual machine, if I am running vista, does it automatically create the virtual machine in vista? I prefer to not go back to XP.

Also is it free or a trial? Thanks

cooooookies said:

Did you actually use it? Don't think so, since vmware player does not allow to create vmware images, just open existing ones, as the name suggests.

I would go for virtualbox, free & easy.

Click to expand...

I'm using it right now
Have you ever used it??

makingfastcash22 said:

So vm player creates a isolated virtual machine, if I am running vista, does it automatically create the virtual machine in vista? I prefer to not go back to XP.

Also is it free or a trial? Thanks

Click to expand...

It will create a virtual machine with whatever OS you want (as long as you have the iso for it)

It's totally free

I've been using VMWare Workstation for years, I have several OS installed. I can test run stuff on Linux versions, Windows NT/98/ME/XP/2000/Vista/7 or whatever. Just open it and test run all you want. Mess it up, just restore, and ready to go again

"Sandboxie" is the way to go: free, secure for testing programs, simple (i.e. not a pain in the ass to setup) and easy (installs like any other windows program.)

I've recently tested both VMPlayer and MS Virtual PC. Both are nice programs but take considerable time to set up. Then, after you've gotten them installed, all you have is a virtual disk. You then have to install your virtual operating system (i.e. a second installation with the time that takes.) Finally you have to reinstall all your software, virtually, onto the virtual hard drive in the virtual computer, which takes more time.

For most uses Sandboxie is far better.

Why would you want to get into all the mess?

Just get a good all in one internet security package and you are save enough. Virtual machines gives you a higher level of security but being a regular internet surfer you don't need that much... Just go with NIS 2010 or something

Virtual box - I find that a lot easier than VMWare.
Free from Sun

sandboxie will work for what you need.

plgo1 said:

Virtual machines gives you a higher level of security but being a regular internet surfer you don't need that much...

Click to expand...

Is there ANYTHING AT ALL about anyone on this website that suggests "regular internet surfer" to you?

I used to use sandboxie but I now use the built in sandbox with Kaspersky 2010. Pretty handy!

Sandboxie is not good enough, particularly for anyone using warez.

A few things ...
1. A lot of applications provide full featured time limited demos. Using a virtual machine means you can just 'install from scratch' every time the time limit runs out. HDD space is not a that expensive any more. So, you create a (say) Win XP VM, with your basics, antivirus, etc. Create a copy of that. Then, everytime you need a VM, just copy the 'default' and use one that you can trash.

2. AV + rootkit scanners + insert fav tool = not enough
Seriously. This assumption that because an antivirus scanner found nothing means there is nothing is a bit dumb. Sure, they probably get 99.99% of the stuff out there, but something can slip through. Have a VM you use for new crap, another one you use for crap you trust, and possibly another one you use just for totally 100% legit shit.

3. Compromised once = fucked
I see a lot of people posting that they got a virus infection on their machine, but they cleaned it. Bullshit. If you were dumb enough to get infected in the first place, you are not smart to clean it out. Really. Do a total reinstall of the OS already. VM just means that you copy another image with your presets already installed.

4. Even legit software breaks shit
People have this unwavering belief that software always works. I have seen what should be trivial upgrades break OSes in many interesting ways. It gets really messy when you have tons of software already installed on your machine. Use the VM to try out all upgrades and updates before you roll them out onto your money machine.

5. Obscure tools and versions
Back in an old job, we had a machine that was still running Win '98. It ran some obscure bit of software (I think there might have been some printer or scanner driver issues too) by a now out of business company, that could only run on win '98. Many had tried to get it to run on XP, but without the sources, no joy. So, we kept a box running '98 just for this. VMs allow you to run the software on the OS that works best.

6. Trying out software
It is much easier to use a clean VM, install a dozen warez or trialware, give them a go, choose the ones I will keep, and then trash that VM and install the approved ones on another one. Uninstall does not work 100%, 100% of the time. You end up messing with registy cleaners, this that cleaner, uurrrgggghhhh!!

7. Some of us run *nix as the base OS. Wine only goes so far, so VMs = good

8. Shared machines
A lot of people share machines. Keep your money software setup in a VM. You'll thank me when your teenage daughter installs that really *cute* screensaver from warez-r-us, or downloads that attachment from 'Aunt Flo in Maine' on your shared computer.

I could go on, but there are so many reasons and benefits of running VMs.