Sep 15, 2012 reinstall Xign from the gamefolder. Its an means of anti (fail)cheat program that constantly harrases physical ram for programs trying to inject code into the game. Also just because you think everything is off at startup doesnt mean its really off. Check your task manager at admin level and see how many active processes you have (minimum to. Hi, I updated to Expression Encoder 4.0.4276.0 on Windows 7 v. 6.1.760032 bit and when I run the Microsoft Expression Encoder 4 Screen Capture application I get a window that pops up that says 'a monitor program has been found running on your system.
Deciding if a file is infected or safe from a VirusTotal scan result can be frustrating when half of the antivirus shows that it is infected while the other half shows that it is clean.
You can try analyzing the half detected file using an online sandbox service such as ThreatExpert but the report only shows the program’s behavior when it’s started and doesn’t tell you what it does when an option is enabled or when a button on the program is clicked.
This is when the sandbox software such as Sandboxie comes to play by allowing you to run any programs on your computer whether they are safe or infected and yet any changes still won’t affect your computer.
Although Sandboxie is mainly used to keep your computer safe by running programs in an isolated space, it can also be used to analyze the program’s behavior.
Here are 2 ways to investigate the changes made to your computer system by programs that are ran inside Sandboxie.Automatic Analysis using Buster Sandbox Analyzer
Buster Sandbox Analyzer (BSA) is a free tool that can be used to watch the actions of any process that is ran inside Sandboxie. Although BSA is a portable software, it does not work right out of the box and requires a manual one time configuration to load a BSA DLL file by adding 3 lines to the Sandboxie’s INI configuration file.
Do take note that if you’re going to follow the exact installation instruction from the official website, you must extract Buster Sandbox Analyzer folder to the root of your C: drive. Once that is done, run BSA.EXE executable file from C:bsa folder and you’ll need to enter the path of the sandbox folder to check which is the location of the Sandboxie’s sandbox folder. To get the location, open the Sandboxie Control by double clicking on the yellow kite tray icon from the notification area, drag any program and drop it to the Sandbox DefaultBox. Now right click on the Sandbox DefaultBox at the Control window and select “Explore Contents”.
An explorer window will open with the path to the sandbox which you can copy and paste it to “Sandbox folder to check”. Click the Start Analysis button on Buster Sandbox Analyzer and you can now run the program that you want to analyze in Sandboxie. When a program is ran under Sandboxie, you will see the API Call Log window in BSA being filled up with information.
Once you’re done testing the program and want to analyze the program’s behavior, you will first need to terminate the process from the Sandboxie Control by right clicking and select “Terminate Programs”. Go back to Buster Sandbox Analyzer and click Finish Analysis button. Click on Viewer at the menu bar and select View Analysis. An analysis text file will open showing you the detailed report of the actions from the program that you ran in Sandboxie.
The screenshot below is an example of the actions created by DarkComet RAT. It checks for debuggers, task manager software presence, creating auto start in registry, logging keystrokes, privilege elevation, disabling regedit & task manager and connects to a remote hosts with port number.
Additional Notes: Some malware has anti-debugger functionality where it automatically terminates itself when it is being ran in debugging tools or virtual machines to prevent analysis or to trick the less experienced users into thinking that the file is safe. Buster Sandbox Analyzer is certainly ahead of the game because it is updated at least once a month to prevent malware from recognizing it as a debugger.
Download Buster Sandbox Analyzer
Manual Analysis
Manually analyzing the program’s behavior from Sandboxie is possible without using any third party tools but you won’t get detailed analysis compared to using Buster Sandbox Analyzer. You can easily find out if the sandboxed application is programmed to drop any additional files to the hard drive and added any autostart values in the registry which is enough evidence to determine that the program is malicious.
To view the file changes, right click at the DefaultBox from the Sandboxie Control window and select “Explore Contents” or alternatively directly go to C:Sandbox[Username]DefaultBox. If you see any folder such as “drive” or “user”, it means that the sandboxed application has created some files in the hard drive. Continue accessing the folders until you see some files. Below is an example of a suspicious behavior where a sandboxed application ran from desktop creates another copy of itself to the current user’s application data folder.
A Monitor Program Has Been Found Sandboxie Free
As for analyzing the registry changes, you will have to first terminate the program from Sandboxie Control. Press WIN+R to open the Run window, type regedit and click OK. Expand HKEY_USERS registry folder by double clicking on it, click File from the menubar and select Load Hive. Browse to C:Sandbox[UserName]DefaultBox and open RegHive without any file extension. Enter anything such as sandboxie for the Key Name for easy identification and click OK.
Another registry folder with the name that you’ve previously set for the Key Name will be added to the end of the HKEY_USERS. You can now expand the registry folder to analyze the values being added or changed.
As you can see from the sample screenshot above, the sandboxed applcation in Sandboxie also added an automatic startup value to the current user in registry to run the file that was dropped to the Application Data folder when the user logs in. A computer user with experience and knowledge would be able to evaluate that the behavior of the sandboxed application is most likely malicious and you can get confirmation of your findings by sending the file to antivirus analyst using X-Ray.
You might also like:
9 Automated Online Sandbox Services to Analyze Suspicious File’s Behavior4 Free Tools to Sandbox Programs and Keep Your Computer Safer3 Ways to Analyze Memory Dump (.dmp) FileFix Google chrome.exe The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000142)A Monitor Program Has Been Found Sandboxie Video
10 Ways to Determine if Application is Compiled for 32-bit or 64-bitAny update on this? Buster’s sandbox analyzer was a fantastic tool… really unfortunate it’s not developed anymore. Does anyone know of a similar tool that can do this? A tool that can automatically report on everything a program does after it runs in the sandbox is extremely powerful and useful.
A Monitor Program Has Been Found Sandboxie Is One
ReplyBuster Sandbox Analyzer has been updated to version 1.89 Beta 5. Read new installation and usage instructions here:
wilderssecurity.com/threads/buster-sandbox-analyzer.428538/
ReplyThank you!
ReplyFantastic post!
Replygood stuff thanks
ReplyAwesome! I’m posting this on my website right now!
Replywise words ray
i too am a now a preacher of sandbox – an essential app
ReplyLeave a Reply
A sandbox simply means a way of running a program in an environment which separates it from the host operating system. There are several ways of sandboxing a program. One is to use virtual machine software like VirtualBox which runs programs in a virtual operating system. Another way is to temporarily virtualize your real operating system so any changes made to it are discarded after a reboot. You can also portablize programs to isolate any changes they make from the host system.
Another easy option is to sandbox a program on demand so only that program is isolated leaving the rest of your system unaffected. Then you can simply empty the sandbox when you are finished to flush the contents of it away. Apart from being isolated from any potential harm caused by the sandboxed software, it’s also an excellent try before you install option to keep your system clean from unwanted file and registry changes.
Here we list 4 free applications that can sandbox programs you want to isolate from your main operating system. Sadly, the popular Avast Free Antivirus used to have a dedicated sandbox option but it’s now only available in paid versions of the software. All the programs below were tested in Windows 7 and 10 64-bit.
1. SandboxieSandboxie is the most popular and well known program of this type and is often used by advanced users for testing the behavior of software. Although Sandboxie is shareware it can be freely used after 30 days with a timed nag window on launch. Features disabled in the unregistered version include forced programs and folders, force browsers to run in the sandbox and also only one sandbox can be used at once.
During install a “Sandboxed Web Browser” desktop shortcut is created which runs your default web browser in the sandbox. To run another program or shortcut, simply right click on it and select “Run Sandboxed” from the context menu (or “Send to” menu) or open the Sandboxie GUI and drop the program onto the window. The tray icon > DefaultBox menu has extra options to sandbox the default email client, sandbox Windows Explorer, browse for a program or open a custom mini Start Menu where you can select the program you want.
By default, Sandboxie puts a yellow border around the window of a program in the sandbox although you can change this to another color in the settings. If the window has a visible title, its text will also be encased in “[#]”. While programs you install inside the sandbox will stay until you clear the sandbox contents, the programs you run by drag and drop or context menu will not. They will need to be launched the same way every time as forced programs is a premium feature.
An option to run a program in Sandboxie automatically is to insert the following into the Target box of its shortcut before the path of the program:
'C:Program FilesSandboxieStart.exe'
Therefore 'C:Program FilesSandboxieStart.exe' 'C:MyProgram.exe' would send MyProgram to the sandbox straight away.
Each different sandbox you create has a huge number of functions and features attached to it. These include quick and immediate recovery options to copy files from the sandbox, program groups, file migration into the sandbox, internet/network and start/run restrictions, resource access, enhanced compatibility for specific applications, and change the sandbox container folder. It’s also very easy to quickly kill running programs and delete or explore sandbox contents.
Download Sandboxie
2. Cybergenic Shade Sandbox
What makes Shade an interesting alternative to Sandboxie is it’s easier to use. That comes at the expense of features and functionality though. An inconvenient part of the installation is Shade requires a free license key which is obtained by entering a valid email and any name during install. A temporary email service can be used if you prefer. After install and a reboot, open Shade and either leave it for a few seconds or press the button top left and press Activate to enter the key. Shade won’t work until you activate with a valid license key.
Programs can be isolated using Shade in a couple of ways. Firstly, you can right click an executable file or shortcut to show the context menu entries. They offer to run the program one time in the default sandbox, add the program to the sandbox or view the virtual folder. Alternatively, open the Shade interface, click the button and drop a program or shortcut onto the window. Click on a program in the window to launch it sandboxed.
A purple border is added to the window of a sandboxed program. The border is not totally reliable though, and only partially appears or won’t appear at all with some non standard program windows. If the program has been added to the sandbox and its icon appears in the window, it will always automatically run sandboxed. Right click on the program/shortcut and select “Remove an application from Shade” or remove it from the Shade window by selecting the icon and pressing the remove button.
Sandboxed files are stored in a C:Shade{random name} folder. The same folder opens in Explorer if you press the Open Virtual Folder button in the Shade GUI. All the files can be deleted when you’ve finished with them by pressing Clean up sandbox. Shade Sandbox doesn’t have the advanced features of Sandboxie but that perhaps makes it more suitable for casual or less advanced users.
Download Shade Sandbox
3. Comodo Firewall / Antivirus / Internet Security
Comodo is a well known security company and it has several free security products. The firewall especially is very highly regarded. The Comodo sandboxing component which allows you to run a specific program in a virtual environment is available in the Firewall, standalone Antivirus, and Internet Security products.
We are not fans of all the junk and unwanted software Comodo asks to install or force installs along with the main security application. While changing your browser homepage, DNS service, sending cloud/anonymous statistics and setting Comodo Dragon as the default browser can be opted out of, Comodo Dragon and the Geek Buddy premium tech support addon are force installed. The only good thing is they can be manually uninstalled later on.
By default, Comodo adds a widget to the desktop which includes shortcuts to your installed web browsers. Click on a shortcut to start the browser sandboxed. Alternatively, you can right click on a shortcut or executable file and select “Run in Comodo container”, click on the widget Run Virtual button to run another program sandboxed or use the Run Virtual button in the main user interface. The run virtual option lets you browse manually for a file and also create a desktop shortcut.
The border placed around a sandboxed program by Comodo is green. In Settings > Containment there are more advanced options to exclude files, folders, and registry keys/values, and auto start contained services. The Auto Containment feature can be used to sandbox specific programs automatically according to a predefined set of rules. The option to reset the container and delete all its files can be found in Tasks > Containment Tasks.
Download Comodo Firewall | Comodo Antivirus | Comodo Internet Security
4. Qihoo 360 Total Security (Essential)
Total Security is an antivirus from Chinese company Qihoo 360 that incorporates both Bitdefender and Avira antivirus engines. It comes in two free versions, the full version includes an application and Windows updater, WiFi security checker, junk file cleaner and a Windows tweaker/optimizer. If you don’t want all the extras then download the Total Security Essential version which just has the antivirus. Both versions include the sandbox.
Running a program in the sandbox can be done a couple of ways. Either right click on the shortcut or program and select “Run in 360 Sandbox”, or open the main user interface, click on Sandbox and press the “Run a specific program” button to locate a file manually. You can also choose to auto sandbox a program every time it’s launched by going to the My Toys window and adding a program to the list.
Like the other software here, 360 Total Security adds a visual indicator to a sandboxed window, this one is a green menu and can be quite useful. There are small buttons to disconnect sandboxed programs from the network, open the manage sandboxed files window and auto hide the indicator. We’ve noticed the indicator doesn’t always appear though, minimizing and restoring the window will sometimes make it show up.
If the visual indicator doesn’t appear you can check in the Sandbox > Running List window to see if the program is sandboxed. Files inside the sandbox can be viewed in the File List window. They are split into media, documents or you can simply use directory browsing to delete or copy specific files. Use the Clean Up button to delete all contents immediately. Some Cleanup options like auto clean and exclude file types are available in Advanced Settings.
Download 360 Total Security | 360 Total Security Essential
Final Note: Although sandbox applications can successfully run several different types of program inside a sandbox, there are some that will not work. Software that installs its own services, software drivers or it requires high level access to the system will likely be problematic. For instance, most antivirus and security software or large applications that integrate into the system like iTunes or Visual Studio will have problems or not work at all.
You might also like:
2 Ways to Analyze Behavior of Sandboxed Application in Sandboxie9 Automated Online Sandbox Services to Analyze Suspicious File’s BehaviorChange or Remove Button Missing at Control Panel Add or Remove Programs7 Free Tools to Control More Than One Mouse on One Computer7 Free Tools to Delay Programs Starting With WindowsAnd sandboxie dues not work on most computers any more — it cuts your internet connection somehow — and the remedies are either complicated or incoherent.
ReplyI’ve used Sandboxie on several computers and it doesn’t do that, so “most computers” might be a bit of a stretch.
The problem with Sandboxie now is it’s not developed by the original devs anymore, has been pretty much abandoned, and made open source. While that can be a good thing, there are now different versions and builds floating around the internet, some might work OK, others might not.
ReplyWindows 10 Pro has a feature to run ‘sandbox’ environment now.
ReplyIt does, but the Windows option is a sandboxed OS as opposed to these programs that sandbox the program inside your main OS.
ReplySo why would I buy pro to get it — is my question — most everyday computers in aust. Only coe with home edition, just another market ploy.
ReplyThe Sandbox feature was not meant to be a consumer feature as it makes use of Hyper-V which is something that isn’t in the Home version of Windows 10.
Home users would be far better off with VirtualBox or VMWare Player anyway.
ReplySandboxie has been made free and unrestricted by Sophos, who also say it is going to become open source.
ReplyThanks a lot for this. Just to let you know; Shade is now trial and then 20 USD annually. Shade is very easy to use. I use it mainly for my browser.
ReplyShame, it has potential but I always thought it was more of a beta software than a full blown release. Right now, it’s certainly not something I would pay for or recommend others pay for.
ReplyChrome won’t sandbox with Shade. That’s a deal-breaker for me.
I use 2 browsers at once, one for online work and one for my own stuff. Sandboxie won’t run on two browsers at one time. Or if it does, I haven’t been able to find it in the manual.
Yes it says free download, not free to use though.
ReplySandboxie is a great software.
Unfortunately it does not run under XP 64 bit.
If there was a Sandbox software for XP 64 this OS would have a second life…
Sadly Microsoft didn’t properly support XP 64, even when they were supposed to, what chance have you got for third party software…? :(
ReplyHal,
Back in 2016 (just 1 year ago) I spent a lot of time with testing XP 64 bit.
Result: Nearly everything that runs under XP runs under XP 64, too.
Exception: Games (and some drivers for PCI-Cards etc)
So, if there was a good sandbox-software XP 64 would still today be a great OS.
I wrote to the makers of Sandboxie, but there seems to be no chance.
ReplyA Monitor Program Has Been Found Sandboxie Is Considered
The problem is XP 64 is long out of support (officially) so no company is going to start supporting it now. Microsoft never really took XP 64 seriously and they never pushed it as a real alternative to XP 32. A lot of 32-bit software worked on XP 64 the same way it does now for 7 or 10. But because XP 64 was so rare, it if worked, fine, if not, tough luck…
Replyjust run the 32 bit sandboxie, it works. and use it for 32 bit programs and you’re completely safe. most programs are 32 bit anyway.
ReplyJust installed BufferZone Pro 4.05-71. Looks like a fantastic free software. Many thanks for the tip.
ReplyThanks Raymond your a star.
ReplyYep I agree Sandboxie rocks. Since I started using it I have had no crapware residue on my computer. It also allows you to install a program and look at what its modified or stashed somewhere which can be useful.
ReplyRaymond, you are the man, Thanks – this is awesome
ReplyExcellent program, I have used it for a while before i formatted.
ReplyThanks for the heads up Raymond as I have been using sandboxie for a long time. Excellent program, between that and VirtualBox I can cover almost any situation where I need some degree of quarantine, whether a single program or a complete OS.
Reply