I made a mistake a while back by downloading exploits for Roblox, which ended up containing worms. Since then, I've been extra cautious and haven't downloaded anything sketchy without an antivirus. I'm curious if I could download these things again safely using a Virtual Machine (I use Oracle VirtualBox) without the worms spreading to my main desktop or potentially getting into my WiFi. I get that downloading malware is a bad idea, but I'm looking for some insight on whether it's safe to do this with a VM. Thanks for any advice!
3 Answers
To keep it safe, it's best to disconnect the VM from the network altogether. This way, the malware can’t spread outside the VM, and you're minimizing the risk significantly.
Yes, worms can potentially escape a virtual machine, but it really depends on the type of malware. Some are designed to find vulnerabilities and can break out of the VM, especially if it's not isolated properly. Always be cautious!
That's a bit scary. Should I just avoid using VMs for anything risky?
Ultimately, the safest approach is using an airgapped computer that is completely isolated from any network. This way, you prevent any chance of spread—albeit that’s a more extreme solution. Just be careful with what you download!
Airgapped sounds extreme, but probably the safest. I might just stick to my current setup and avoid these exploits!
Good idea! I didn't think of that. Thanks for the tip!