What does the term "sandboxing" refer to?

Sandboxing refers to the practice of running applications in an isolated environment, which allows them to operate without impacting the rest of the system. This method is commonly used to test new software, analyze untrusted applications, or run potentially harmful code in a controlled setting. By executing programs in this secure area, any vulnerabilities or malicious activities are contained, minimizing the risk to the host computer or network.

This technique is particularly valuable in cybersecurity, as it allows security professionals to analyze malware in a safe environment without the risk of it spreading to other systems. The isolation of the sandbox ensures that any changes or effects from the application are confined within that controlled environment.

In contrast, creating backups for data pertains to data preservation and recovery, while establishing firewalls is related to network security measures that control incoming and outgoing traffic. Compiling software for different environments involves preparing code for execution in various platforms but does not relate directly to the protective aspect of isolating applications. Thus, the practice of sandboxing stands out distinctly as a crucial element in secure application testing and execution.