Sandbox Downloads? Sandbox software recommendations?

[gryffinwings]

Is it possible to not only sandbox your internet browser but can you sandbox your downloads? So essentially when you are going to places you don't know and find software you need there and you can scan it after it's in your computer, but in a sandbox, protecting your system?

 

[balloonshark]

You can always scan a download before you run it regardless. You can also submit the download to virustotal to be scanned by multiple scanners if it is under 256MB. https://www.virustotal.com/#/home/upload Just be aware that you may get a few false positives.

You can run some software sandboxed or you can use a light virtualization app to virtualize entire partition/s or you could use a virtual machine. If the software in question needs a reboot to install you might need to use the latter. Also know that with a sandbox or light virtulization app the questionable software may not do permanent damage while installed but it could possibly spy on you unless it's restricted. I know sandboxie has some restrictions but I have no idea how much they would help against a keylogger, screen grabber, etc. If you're really paranoid or the software is really shady then a virtual machine should provide total isolation from your normal OS.