Using a VM to open suspicious files...

[freestyler105]

That's a very good idea. If you suspect there could be malware in a file, and you have VMWare, definitely use it.

 

[dan7777]

Ok! Cheers!

 

[DJ-CHRIS1]

Say I wanted to open a suspicious file, or something that could possibly contain a virus, or spyware or whatever,
should I use a virtual machine and open the file from in there?

Would this stop any threats making their way into my os?

Thanks for any help!

I use this method for testing virus's and spyware as well, as it is far superior to simply using an anti-virus program. Your brain should be your first anti-virus, not a peice of software.

Also unless you are sharing disc drives, or have network access and credentials, its virtually impossible to spread.

 

[dan7777]

Can anybody suggest any decent VM software?

 

[DJ-CHRIS1]

Can anybody suggest any decent VM software?

Virtual PC 2007 is fairly great, and VMWare Server is good too. Both are free. The way VMWARE does network drivers is far superior to Virtual PC however.

 

[Bobert93]

just the first site that came up on google.http://www.vmware.com/
but you shouldnt need to , i open keygens all the time with nod32 , you just need to get them of a decent site.

 

[dan7777]

Cool, thanks.