TLDR: You can instantly access a sandboxed Internet Explorer browser via browserling.com/ie. My team and I have virtualized all IE versions and we stream just the browser window to you. The browser runs remotely on our servers and is isolated from your system.
Sandboxed IE – What Is It?
A sandboxed IE refers to a version of Internet Explorer that's been modified to run in a contained environment, also known as a sandbox, which isolates it from the underlying operating system and other applications. This security measure prevents malware from exploiting vulnerabilities in the browser to access or damage the main system and data. Internet Explorer must be particularly sandboxed because of its historical susceptibility to security breaches, making it critical to mitigate risks associated with its use.
How Does a Sandboxed IE Work?
A sandboxed Internet Explorer operates by initiating each browser session in a new, isolated Windows virtual machine that supports that specific Internet Explorer version. For example, IE 6 gets Windows XP and IE 11 gets Windows 7. Each Windows virtual machine has the latest service pack installed, so it has the latest IE version as well. Upon IE session closure, this virtual machine is deleted, terminating all associated processes, and deleting all files, thereby ensuring a secure, exploit-resistant environment by preventing any malicious activity or data leakage between sessions. This approach is particularly advantageous in cybersecurity applications as it provides a safe environment to test or investigate untrusted code without risking the integrity of the main operating system and local network.
Regular IE vs Sandboxed IE – What's the Difference?
A regular Internet Explorer operates directly on the user's computer, making it susceptible to exploits from unsafe websites, potentially compromising the computer's security. In contrast, a sandboxed Internet Explorer runs in a controlled, isolated environment – a virtual machine – that restricts access to user's system, thereby significantly mitigating the risk of exploits and enhancing security. This isolation ensures that any malicious activity encountered is confined to the sandbox, preventing harm to the user's main operating system and data.
What Are Sandboxed IE Use Cases?
Accessing Old Internet Explorer Versions
A sandboxed IE enables you to access outdated versions of Internet Explorer (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for viewing websites or applications that require these specific versions without installing old Windows versions and compromising network security.
Running Legacy IE Applications
Developers can use a sandboxed IE environment to run and troubleshoot applications designed exclusively for older Internet Explorer versions, ensuring legacy software continues to function smoothly.
Testing Old Internet Explorer Bugs
A sandboxed IE allows developers to recreate and diagnose issues specific to older versions of Internet Explorer, making it easy to fix specific IE bugs and compatibility problems.
Historical Exploration
Users interested in the evolution of browsers and the web can use a sandboxed IE to experience how websites appeared and operated in different eras of Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer Extension Testing
Developers can utilize a sandboxed IE environment to test and debug extensions for Internet Explorer, ensuring compatibility and stability across various versions.
Testing Internet Explorer Exploits
Cybersecurity experts can employ a sandboxed IE to safely examine and understand exploits unique to Internet Explorer, enhancing threat awareness and mitigation strategies.
Forensic Investigations
Cybersecurity professionals use a sandboxed IE for conducting forensic investigations on Internet Explorer-related security incidents, isolating the browser to protect the main operating system while analyzing threats.
Cross-Browser Testing
A sandboxed IE enables web developers to conduct comprehensive cross-browser testing, ensuring websites and applications perform consistently across older Internet Explorer and other modern browsers.
Educational Purposes
Educators and students can use a sandboxed IE for learning about web development, browser security, and Internet history, providing a safe, controlled environment for experimentation and study.
Archive and Preservation
Archivists and historians can employ a sandboxed IE to access and preserve digital content originally designed for or best viewed on specific versions of Internet Explorer, aiding in the digital preservation of Internet history.
Which IE Versions Can Be Sandboxed?
At Browserling, we've virtualized all IE versions, starting from version 6, and we've made them available for running legacy IE applications, testing old code, and exploring historical IE exploits.
Here's a complete list of IE versions and matching Windows versions that we have available:
- Internet Explorer 6 (IE6) on Windows XP
- Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) on Windows XP
- Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows XP
- Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) on Windows Vista
- Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows Vista
- Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) on Windows Vista
- Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) on Windows 7
- Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) on Windows 7
- Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) on Windows 7
- Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) on Windows 7
- Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) on Windows 8
- Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) on Windows 8.1
These IE versions can be accessed via a special URL scheme that includes the Windows version and IE version. For example, you can access IE 11 on Win 7 via this special URL:
Similarly, you can access other IE versions on other Windows versions by adjusting the URL.
What Is Browserling?
Browserling is a virtual browser platform that provides sandboxed browsers for secure and isolated testing. It enables developers, testers, and cybersecurity experts to open web applications across multiple versions of Internet Explorer and other browsers, ensuring compatibility and performance without compromising system security. This platform is especially valuable for cross-browser testing, debugging legacy IE applications, and conducting IE exploit testing in a controlled setting.
Who Uses Browserling?
Browserling has now become the sandboxed browser platform of choice for security professionals and web developers, and it's used by hundreds of thousands of users around the world every month. Browserling's customers include governments, states, cities, banks, stock exchanges, universities, newspapers, Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies, and private multi-billion dollar companies.
Browse safe!