I'm considering installing some software but I'm a bit wary about the source and its trustworthiness. I'm trying to figure out whether using a virtual machine, like VMware, would be safer, or if I should go with an old M.2 SSD that I could connect using an M.2 to USB adapter for testing. Any insights or recommendations would be super helpful!
4 Answers
Have you considered using QubesOS? It’s designed specifically for security and isolation through virtualization.
You could try installing GNOME Boxes as a flatpak. It's a neat little tool that lets you boot up an ISO and test out software in its own sandbox. Just a heads up, if you're on Linux, using a separate drive can be tricky and doesn't automatically mean you're safe from any issues.
A fully sandboxed VM with no access to your main filesystem would definitely offer more security. This way, even if something goes wrong within the VM, your main system stays protected. Just make sure it’s completely isolated.
If you're really concerned, the safest bet is to air gap the setup. That means completely unplugging your main OS drive while you’re testing software. There are ways malware can escape a VM, and it could still impact your main drive if it has visibility to it. Full disk encryption can help, but it's crucial that you set it up right from the start. You could also consider using online malware analysis tools that allow you to upload executables, as they run them in a sandbox to check for safety, though be careful with Linux files since not all free tools handle those properly.
Related Questions
Can't Load PhpMyadmin On After Server Update
Redirect www to non-www in Apache Conf
How To Check If Your SSL Cert Is SHA 1
Windows TrackPad Gestures