How to set up a virtual machine for safe browsing

Imagine browsing the internet without fear of viruses, malware, or hackers compromising your personal data. Virtual machines (VMs) make this possible by creating a secure, isolated environment for your online activities. This guide will show you how to harness the power of VMs, giving you control and flexibility to protect your digital life.

What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer. It allows you to run an operating system (OS) in a separate, isolated environment on your computer. Think of it as a “computer within a computer.” You can also run VMs on cloud servers for remote access.

How does a virtual machine work?

• Hardware emulation: A virtual machine (VM) uses software to simulate hardware components like a CPU, memory, storage, and network interfaces. To the OS running inside the VM, this emulated hardware behaves just like physical hardware.
• Resource allocation: The VM borrows resources (e.g., memory, storage, and processing power) from your physical computer, known as the “host” system.
• Isolation: Each VM operates in its own isolated environment. What happens inside the VM doesn’t affect your host system or other VMs.
• Multiple operating systems: You can run different operating systems simultaneously on the same physical computer. For example, you could run Windows, Linux, and macOS at the same time.
• Snapshots: Many VM platforms allow you to take “snapshots” of a VM’s state. This lets you revert to a previous state if something goes wrong, making it ideal for testing and security purposes.
• Portability: VMs are stored as files, making them easy to move between computers.

The software that manages VMs is called a hypervisor. Some popular hypervisors include VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and Hyper-V (for Windows).

Why use a virtual machine?

Virtual machines offer a range of benefits, especially for safe browsing and testing:

• Enhanced security: VMs isolate your activities from your main system, protecting it from malware or other threats.
• Risk-free exploration: Safely visit questionable websites or open suspicious files without endangering your primary system.
• Easy recovery: If your VM gets infected or corrupted, you can quickly restore it to a clean state using snapshots or by recreating it.
• Privacy protection: Use a VM with different accounts and settings to keep certain online activities separate from your main identity.
• Testing ground: Safely test new software, configurations, or operating systems without affecting your main setup.
• Learning environment: Experiment with different operating systems or software in a controlled environment.
• Consistent experience: Create a standardized browsing or testing environment that you can replicate across different computers.

What do you need to set up a virtual machine?

Before creating your first VM, ensure you have the following:

Hardware requirements

• Processor: A modern CPU with virtualization support (Intel VT-x or AMD-V).
• Memory: At least 8GB of RAM is recommended (your host system and VM will share this).
• Storage: A minimum of 20GB of free space for each VM you plan to create.
• Graphics: Basic graphics capabilities are sufficient for most VMs.

Software requirements

• Hypervisor software: Examples include VirtualBox (free), VMware Workstation/Player, Hyper-V (Windows), or Parallels (for Mac).
• Operating system installation media: An ISO file or installation disc for the OS you want to run.
• License keys: For operating systems that require activation (e.g., Windows).

Skills required

• Basic computer knowledge: Familiarity with installing and configuring operating systems.
• Patience: Setting up a VM can take time, especially for first-time users.

Setting up a VM on different operating systems

Virtual machines (VMs) can be a great tool for home users to explore different operating systems or browse the web safely. Here’s a simplified guide to get you started with VirtualBox, a free and user-friendly option available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Windows

1. Download VirtualBox from this link.
   • Click on “Windows hosts” to download the installer
2. Install VirtualBox:
   • Run the downloaded installer
   • Follow the installation wizard, accepting the default options
3. Create a new VM:
   • Open VirtualBox
   • Click “New” in the toolbar
   • Name your VM and select the type of operating system you want to install
   • Follow the wizard to allocate memory and create a virtual hard disk
   • Start the VM and follow the prompts to install your chosen operating system

macOS

1. Download VirtualBox from this link.
   • Click on “OS X hosts” to download the installer
2. Install VirtualBox:
   • Open the downloaded .dmg file
   • Double-click on the VirtualBox.pkg file
   • Follow the installation wizard
3. Create a new VM:
   • Open VirtualBox
   • Click “New” in the toolbar
   • Name your VM and select the type of operating system
   • Follow the wizard to allocate memory and create a virtual hard disk
   • Start the VM and follow the prompts to install your chosen operating system

Note: If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1/M2 chip), VirtualBox may not work. Consider using Parallels or UTM instead.

Linux

1. Install VirtualBox:
   • Open your distribution’s software center or package manager
   • Search for “VirtualBox” and install it
   • Alternatively, you can use the terminal:
   • Copy
   • sudo apt-get install virtualbox # For Ubuntu/Debian
   • sudo dnf install virtualbox # For Fedora
2. Create a new VM:
   • Open VirtualBox
   • Click “New” in the toolbar
   • Name your VM and select the type of operating system
   • Follow the wizard to allocate memory and create a virtual hard disk
   • Start the VM and follow the prompts to install your chosen operating system

See also: How to create a virtual machine in Linux with KVM

Safe browsing practices in virtual environments

While a virtual machine enhances security, it’s not invincible. Combine your VM’s protection with smart browsing habits for optimal safety.

• Start by choosing a privacy-focused browser like Firefox or Brave, which offer robust security features and regular updates.
• Use your browser’s built-in security settings. Enable pop-up blockers and anti-tracking features to minimize your digital footprint and protect against intrusive content.
• When downloading files, exercise caution and stick to reputable sources. If in doubt, scan files with your antivirus before opening them.
• Keep your VM and all installed software up-to-date. Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities, protecting you against the latest threats.
• Consider using a VPN within your VM for an extra layer of privacy, especially when using public Wi-Fi or accessing region-restricted content.
• Only you should have access to your VM. Set a strong password to access it, and close off any remote access features, such as RDP and SSH, from third parties.

Combining these practices with your VM’s inherent security creates a strong defense against online threats, allowing for safer internet exploration.

Configuring antivirus in a VM

Protecting your virtual environment with antivirus software is crucial. Install a reputable antivirus directly within the VM to ensure its security.

Recommended antivirus solutions:

1. Bitdefender – Excellent protection with minimal system impact.
2. Norton 360 – Comprehensive security suite with added features.
3. Avast Premium – User-friendly interface with solid protection.
4. McAfee Total Protection – Good all-around protection for multiple devices.
5. TotalAV  – Strong malware detection and prevention.

AV best practices:

• Enable real-time protection: Continuously monitor for threats.
• Schedule regular scans: Weekly full system scans are generally sufficient.
• Keep antivirus updated: Ensure your antivirus has the latest virus definitions and security patches.
• Scan downloads: Always scan files before opening them, especially if they come from untrusted sources.

This additional layer of security significantly enhances the safety of your browsing experience.

How to shut down a virtual machine

Properly shutting down your virtual machine is important to prevent data loss or corruption. It will also free up resources on your host machine and improve performance. The process varies slightly depending on the hypervisor you’re using.

In VirtualBox (Windows, macOS, Linux)

1. From within the VM: Use the operating system’s normal shutdown procedure (e.g., Start > Shutdown in Windows).
2. From VirtualBox:
   • Click the VM window’s close button (X).
   • Select Send the shutdown signal or Save the machine state.
   • Alternatively, right-click the VM in the VirtualBox Manager and select Close> “ACPI Shutdown.

In VMware Workstation/Player (Windows, macOS)

1. From within the VM: Use the operating system’s shutdown procedure.
2. From VMware:
   • Click Player > Power > Shut Down Guest (or Suspend/Power Off).
   • Or click the VM toolbar button for shutdown options.

In Hyper-V (Windows)

1. From within the VM: Use the operating system’s shutdown procedure.
2. From Hyper-V Manager:
   • Right-click the VM and select Shut Down.
   • Or select the VM, then click Shut Down in the Actions pane.

In Parallels (macOS)

1. From within the VM: Use the operating system’s shutdown procedure.
2. From Parallels Desktop:
   • Click Actions > Shut Down.
   • Or click the power button in the VM window and select Shut Down.

Important Tips:

• Always prefer a proper shutdown over simply powering off the VM.
• Save your work before shutting down.
• If you need to save the VM’s state to resume later, use the Suspend or Save State option instead of shutting down.
• For Linux VMs, ensure you’re logged in as a user with shutdown privileges.

Setting up a virtual machine: FAQs

See also:

• Official VirtualBox Documentation
• Microsoft’s Hyper-V Overview