Sandbox Technology

A sandbox is a security mechanism for isolating running programs.  It is widely used in Computer Security.

It is often used to execute untested code, or untrusted programs from unverified third-parties, suppliers, untrusted users and untrusted websites.The Sandbox provides a memory area and tightly controlled computer resources to a program for its execution. So while executing the program cant access other programs memory area. Thus Sandbox provides a high level of security among the programs. It is widely used in todays antivirus applications.

Thus by enabling sandbox the untrusted program executed safely under controlled enviroment.

Examples of sandbox are : 

• Applets are self-contained programs that run in a virtual machine typically called as JRE(Java Runtime enviroment) that does the sandboxing. In application sharing schemes, the applet is downloaded onto a remote client and may begin executing before it arrives in its entirety. 
• A jail or cage  is a set of resource limits imposed on programs by the operating system kernel.. Jails are most commonly used in virtual hosting.
• Sandboxing on native hosts: Security researchers rely heavily on sandboxing technologies to analyse malware behaviour. By creating an environment that mimics or replicates the targeted desktops, researchers can evaluate how malware infects and compromises a target host.

Softwares uses Sandboxing are :

Google Chrome

Kaspersky Internet Security

Avast Pro

Mac OSX Lion