Sandbox

Definitions

1. An isolated environment where untrusted code or suspicious files can be executed safely, without risk to the host system. Also used in development to describe test environments that mirror production.

   In plain English: A safe, walled-off space on a computer where you can run suspicious programs without them being able to harm anything outside.

Etymology

1970s

From the literal children's sandbox — a safe, contained space for play — computing adopts it for isolated execution environments

1996

Java's applet security model introduces the term to mainstream computing, running untrusted code in a restricted sandbox

2008

Google Chrome launches with sandboxed tabs, isolating each tab's process — a major security architecture innovation

Related Terms

• REPL
• Asset Inventory
• Attack Simulation
• Cyber Operations
• Dark Net
• File Scanner
• Forensic Toolkit
• Harden
• Information Sharing
• IP Geolocation
• National Security
• NDA Security
• Network Isolation
• Preventative Control
• Protection Mechanism
• Quarantine
• Risk Analysis
• Code Database