Virtual Playgrounds Tutorial: How to stay safe online around the internet sketchy links, websites & programs .
The Basics for viewing unknown "suspicious links or content" in as little as 3 Steps.
It really is that simple to increase your security for free with a couple programs and a little time . There is this thing called a Virtual Machine and a Sandbox Browser and that's all you must do- it will keep you safer and can surf the more scary or dangerous zones with less problems later in the future from the features these have more should know about. It won't allow any programs to edit any files made prior and won't mess up your system. You can scan with these tools as well and much more! Nobody ever likes a shady website link but really are interested in knowing more but don't wanna catch the Viruses and Malware from ruining their systems so we made a post for everyone to keep you safe!
#0 Before you start:
Disable screen savers that might be running on the host system before you install the guest operating system and other things that might interfere with installs. It's a good idea to make restore point or a backup before continuing.
#1 First you need a Virtual Machine. What is that you might ask?
A virtual machine (VM) is an operating system (OS) or application environment that is installed on software, which imitates dedicated hardware. The end user has the same experience on a virtual machine as they would have on dedicated hardware.
You can either do it Live, even on a USB, CD or other ways.
Here is the Windows and Linux Download for VMWare Workstation Pro.
https://my.vmware.com/en/web/vmware/info/slug/desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_workstation_pro/14_0
#2 Installing OS with ISO and Virtual Drive.
If you don't have a ISO viewer you can install deamon tools you will make a Virtual Drive opening the ISO and Mounting the Image you downloaded or had the Operating System CD [also key].
What is a Virtual Hard Drive?
A virtual hard drive file is a container file that acts similar to a physical hard drive. ... The Windows operating system is natively able to mount a VHD- or VHDX-based virtual hard drive file in the same way that any other type of removable media can be mounted and accessed by the operating system.
Rather than booting from a physical CD-ROM, you can create an ISO image file from the installation CD-ROM. You can store the ISO file on the host machine or on a network drive accessible from the host machine. Use the configuration tool for your VMware product to connect the virtual machine CD drive to the ISO image file, and turn on the virtual machine.
https://www.daemon-tools.cc/downloads
After installation open and install your OS.
Using an ISO image file is convenient to install the same operating system in multiple virtual machines. It can also help you avoid a problem in host configurations, in which the virtual machine cannot boot from the installation CD-ROM.
We can Install another way too with the Typical Installation if ISO installation isnt the best option for you maybe you know how to wipe a USB with 9 rewrites with a powerful program that does that on disconnect, no, I never used that before I just know some really dark stories.
The basic steps to install a typical operating system:
Start your VMware product and connect to the virtual machine.
Insert the installation CD-ROM or disc of the guest operating system in to the CD-ROM or disc drive connected to the virtual machine.
Turn on your virtual machine by clicking Power On.
Follow the instructions provided by the operating system vendor.
As with physical computers, operating systems require separate licenses for each virtual machine that you run.
Some Microsoft Windows OEM discs included with new computers are customized for those computers and include device drivers and other utilities specific to the hardware system. Even if you can install that Windows operating system on your physical computer, you might not be able to install it in a virtual machine. You might need to purchase a new copy of Windows to install in a virtual machine.
After you get you VMware setup and installed with a new OS ready and booted and installed you are almost here and you are becoming more and more safe and never having problems again probably so just relax.
#3 You need a Virtual Broswer like Sandboxie.
https://www.sandboxie.com/
What does this enviorment do and why is it so good?
Sandboxie uses isolation technology to separate programs from your underlying operating system preventing unwanted changes from happening to your personal data, programs and applications that rest safely on your hard drive. It secure's your favorite web browser and block malicious software, viruses, ransom-ware and zero day threats by isolating such attacks in the Sandbox; leaving your system protected Run on your favorite email program in Sandboxie so you never have to worry about suspicious attachments or spear phishing attacks.
Sandboxie prevents internet websites and programs from modifying your personal data (i.e. My Documents), files & folders on your system.Safely test and try new programs and applications within Sandboxie and prevent unauthorized changes to your underlying system that may occur.
In other words you could download the worst Virus in the world and it inst going to harm your machine as you in a virtual environment within a Virtual Machine . Now you can sit back and surf to your hearts desire with little to no risk included. Don't let the Big bad wolf get to you.
This truly is a developers dream and pen-testers way to view and test things. This just means your fear and worry is simply gone and vanished after seeing these things in action. If this article helped you please upvote and resteem I would follow and look for your good post to share and I'll even comment on some stuff too. I'm known to make some pictures for fun I could leave somewhere for sh*ts and giggles later.
Watch as we find better privacy and security on the internet with a lot more freedom and more intelligence on the subject. Thanks again for reading some of my articles. Stay tuned for more stuff in the coming week!
Good Luck to the hardcore.
Godspeed to the wicked indeed.
Don't get infected anymore.
Keep it going and be real.
Cheers Mates.
@)!*X0A0