Virtualized desktop security

Swapnil Arora

BufferZone provides security by running applications in a virtualized environment. If you execute a malware-infected application from an unknown source, then only the virtual environment gets infected and not the whole system. Moreover, the virtual environment can be easily cleaned with just a few clicks. It allows programs running in a virtual environment to read from the registry and file system.

Applies To: Desktops and laptops
Price: $29.95
USP: Run apps in a virtualized environment
Primary Link:www.trustware.com
Google Keyword: Application
Virtualization

If a program attempts to modify a file or registry, then BufferZone copies the file to a different area on the disk so that the read and write operations are performed on the duplicate file. This process is invisible to application as well as the user, so the application starts treating the duplicate file as the original file.

BufferZone also provides e-mail Attachment protection. Here, e-mail programs do not run inside BufferZone's virtual environment, but when attachments from the Email Client are opened, BufferZone automatically intercepts them and opens the attachment inside its virtual environment. BufferZone doesn't detect or clean malware. It only executes them in an isolated environment so that your desktop remains protected.

How to use?

To define Trusted programs go to Advance Rules option, select the Trusted tab and click on Add tab, then browse to the location where the application is installed to ensure that the application always runs out of BufferZone. Similarly in Advance rules you can also define which applications running outside it can interact with apps running inside BufferZone and e-mail clients whose attachments should be opened in virtual environment.

Once you have configured BufferZone, you can run the installed programs inside its virtual environment, or choose to install an app inside BufferZone. For instance, to install a Mozilla Firefox app inside BufferZone right click on the setup of Firefox and the option 'Open in BufferZone' from the context menu. When the setup starts you will notice a red border around the setup window, which confirms that the program is running in virtualized environment. After you finish the installation, Firefox will automatically start in BufferZone's virtualized environment.

Now while you browse the Web, all cookies and Web pages get stored in the virtual environment. If a malicious website tries to install a spyware on your machine or run a script, it will be executed in BufferZone's virtual environment.

Installing BufferZone is simple. Once installed, it appears in your system tray. To define rules for BufferZone: from its main menu go to Configuration, click on 'Confidential files and folders' to define the locations which are not accessible to programs running in BufferZone. A new Window pops-up, click on Add button and browse to file or folder which you want to shield.