a question about sandboxes

[Jaxon]

If anyone uses Acronis True Image you would know about the 'Try an decide' feature. It seems to act just like what I understand a sandbox to be and you can reboot while it stays in the mode. Does anyone know the answer to that? Because the try & decide thing works great and Sandboxie has some problems getting along with my computer.

And since I'm literate computer wise it's more like a functional illiterate actually. I know lots of stuff but can't apply a lot of it. I'm using BitDefender Internet Security 2009 and Counterspy and WinPatrol paid version. I had Threatfire till recently and I just don't think I need it and I've read it's not as great as it once was (according to Gizmo anyway). But aside from Counterspy replacing Spysweeper this is the security I've used for years and have yet to get infected with anything. But I guess I wouldn't know if something got past them, would I? I also run Secunia scans though and am always updated to the minute. I'd see something, since I use my CC a lot and my computer works just like when it was new, blistering fast and stable as a rock. But back to the question, Is Acronis 'try & decide' a sandbox?
And since I'm on a roll here, if I understand the sandbox concept right I wouldn't need any security at all operating in one, right? Wow, that would be worth the very slight speed hit my laptop takes operating in 'try & decide'

[PsychEroc]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

If anyone uses Acronis True Image you would know about the 'Try an decide' feature. It seems to act just like what I understand a sandbox to be and you can reboot while it stays in the mode. Does anyone know the answer to that?

Yes, I just bought the new 2010 version, seems to work well so far.
The Try & Decide feature is kinda like an insecure sandbox.
All partition changes are recorded in an alternative location, so it can be considered a sandbox.
Sandboxie, however, offers a lot more choices about what to sandbox, you can sandbox only specified programs or only programs originating from a specified location.
So, Try & Decide is actually more akin to Returnil, except you can reboot while staying in T&D mode.

Regarding security, there is none in T&D mode.
For example, if you are online banking without any security software you are just as vulnerable in T&D mode as you would be in normal mode.
As far as I can tell you are vulnerable to 1) information stealing malware, to 2) attacks that lodge themselves in unprotected partitions, and to 3) undetected attacks that you inadvertently save to your real partition (this last one is particularly likely if you stop using any security software).
On the other hand, if you never save to your real partition (i.e. "decide"), then you'd be safe from long-term effects of malware, but not to attacks that immediately steal your personal info or change unprotected partitions.

Unlike T&D mode, Sandboxie provides sandboxing and security. Sandboxed programs are restricted from stealing your info and from making changes to unprotected areas.
Programs like Sandboxie and Returnil also allow you to save selected sandboxed files/folders while discarding the rest. I don't think T&D allows this.

So, my suggestion is to keep your security software! Software like Avira+Comodo will not slow down a system very much at all.
Also check out Wilders, folks there are very knowledgeable and familiar with these programs.