Sandboxie in xp mode or use a another vm

tonys920 · 03 Feb 2010

I have installed xp mode and I am considering using sandboxie in xp mode to protect me from viruses.

But is this better than making a copy of my xp mode and running it as a vm and always discarding any changes to my vm

Is one way better than the other ? is either way still vulnerable to a virus ?

Thanks for any info

Kari · 03 Feb 2010

Hello Tony, welcome to the Seven Forums.

Install any AV program to your XP Mode. Use it together with Windows Firewall, and you are as safe as you can be. My recommendation is Microsoft Security Essentials, free download here. It works surprisingly well and uses not too much resources.

Kari

tonys920 · 03 Feb 2010

Thanks Kari

I am using Microsoft Security Essentials but wanted to try and be as safe as possible ( after being infected once before and loosing data )

If I discard all changes on a vm copy of xp mode when shutting down the vm, is it 100% sure to stop any virus that may have loaded in my vm on that session ?

Kari · 03 Feb 2010

Only way to be absolutely sure is to make a copy of your XP vhd and launch the copy every time you want to use XP, keeping original intact.

Kari

tonys920 · 04 Feb 2010

ok thanks

Kari · 04 Feb 2010

Please notice my last post was not a recommendation, it was only an answer to your question. Personally, I find doing it not very clever.

If a computer, physical or virtual, is used to surf warez or P2P sites, download torrents etc., if the user opens all email attachments and clicks every link in every email, it is clear that it will be contaminated sooner or later, what ever the user will do. If not, with todays AV, Firewall and malware programs there's no need to be overly paranoid as long as you know what you are doing.

Kari