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Why We Are Here => Hardware & Technology => Topic started by: bill on May 26, 2011, 01:34:16 AM

Title: BitBox Could Be Safest Windows Browser Ever
Post by: bill on May 26, 2011, 01:34:16 AM
Quote
BitBox Could Be Safest Windows Browser Ever (http://www.infopackets.com/news/security/2011/20110520_bitbox_could_be_safest_windows_browser_ever.htm)

What makes this variation of Firefox most intriguing is that the web browser runs completely independent of Microsoft Windows. The program uses VirtualBox 4.04 (a software virtualization program by Sun Microsystems) and a securely locked-down ("hardened") implementation of Debian 6 Linux.

The web browser (Firefox 4) then runs in a virtual machine with its own operating system (Debian 6 Linux), keeping it completely separate from the rest of the users' own operating system (Windows).

This looks like something I'd like to put on my 'friends' computers to stop all the calls for advice on ridding themselves of malware. What a great idea.

The down side is that it's supposedly a 900MB download. I wonder if they keep FF up to date. Also, that virtual machine is sure to offer a performance hit. Startups must take a while if you need to boot up an entirely separate OS.

Anyone tried this yet? I'm downloading it now.
Title: Re: BitBox Could Be Safest Windows Browser Ever
Post by: grnidone on May 26, 2011, 02:23:40 AM
That *is* a good idea.  I think I need to put it on my man's children's computers.  They are always downloading some sort of crap that destroys things.
Title: Re: BitBox Could Be Safest Windows Browser Ever
Post by: bill on May 26, 2011, 02:30:25 AM
This download is taking forever. It's +700MB for the Windows version and +600MB for the Linux version. Their servers might be under a bit of strain with file sizes like that.

I have VMware and run alternate OSs all the time to use other software. However, this one is supposed to be made for the masses so they can simply run an installer like any other app.
Title: Re: BitBox Could Be Safest Windows Browser Ever
Post by: Drastic on May 26, 2011, 03:07:28 PM
Sounds good, let us know how it works out?