Virtualize IE (Thin App) VS RemoteAPP IE -we need some advise-
Hi,
We are a media company and we have a group of users that because their role they have to research for news, events, etc on the internet. We had situations where their computers have been infected and this is becoming an issue because we can't keep reimaging their workstation or running the AV, troubleshooting etc.
We are evaluationg different ways to have them use VMs in order to browse the internet and use non-persitent disk so that the VM will not keep the changes. - For the time being this is what we are doing.
We are also looking into Thin App so that IE can be virtualized and executed over their workstation I think that virtualizing the app will still bring the treaths to their computers if they go to a compromised site.
The other way could be something like TS RemoteAPP but I think we are going to be in the same scenario that Think App IE.
We were wondering if someone has any suggestions about any other way to approach this problem. I am not sure if there are any way to acomplish what I want (secure IE browsing) using either ThinkAPP IR or RemoteAPP IE. Going torward the virtualizaton of IE for this particular matter will be easier for the users but I don't know if it be secure enough.
Thank you.
We are a media company and we have a group of users that because their role they have to research for news, events, etc on the internet. We had situations where their computers have been infected and this is becoming an issue because we can't keep reimaging their workstation or running the AV, troubleshooting etc.
We are evaluationg different ways to have them use VMs in order to browse the internet and use non-persitent disk so that the VM will not keep the changes. - For the time being this is what we are doing.
We are also looking into Thin App so that IE can be virtualized and executed over their workstation I think that virtualizing the app will still bring the treaths to their computers if they go to a compromised site.
The other way could be something like TS RemoteAPP but I think we are going to be in the same scenario that Think App IE.
We were wondering if someone has any suggestions about any other way to approach this problem. I am not sure if there are any way to acomplish what I want (secure IE browsing) using either ThinkAPP IR or RemoteAPP IE. Going torward the virtualizaton of IE for this particular matter will be easier for the users but I don't know if it be secure enough.
Thank you.
ASKER
This is not a kiosk. This is for one of the company Department (50 users / 50 workstations) and they have to be able to use whatever we implement while working with the other business apps that they have installed on their workstations.
You could install a virtual PC environment on each PC with the browser in it. Snapshot it and then everytime it is shutdown it reverts to the snapshot. No danger of inections lasting longer than 1 session IF they do get anything.
Then go for FF as I mentioned above. Set proxy settings for a non-existent proxy server in the internet connections of IE so it can't be used for web-browsing. As I mentioned, FF is more secure than IE, and you could look for further Add-ins for it so it is even more secure. and use a portable version.
ASKER
Yes I have considered workstation or virtual PC but we have decided to go with a different type of solution.
For the time being we are using View 4.6 and our users connect via RDP to to non-persistent set of VMs in order to use IE to get to the high risk sites. For security reasons we have also used vShield in order to isolate these set of VMs from the network.
I want to know if I could virtualize IE via Thin App or TS RemoteApp so that they don't have to connect through RDP to a different VM. We just want to make this as seamless as possible for them but at the same time keep it secure.
For the time being we are using View 4.6 and our users connect via RDP to to non-persistent set of VMs in order to use IE to get to the high risk sites. For security reasons we have also used vShield in order to isolate these set of VMs from the network.
I want to know if I could virtualize IE via Thin App or TS RemoteApp so that they don't have to connect through RDP to a different VM. We just want to make this as seamless as possible for them but at the same time keep it secure.
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this is only an idea.we normally use kaspersky & we use it's safe run feature for risky situations
http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/start?qid=208281832
http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/start?qid=208281831
http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/start?qid=208281832
http://support.kaspersky.com/kis2011/start?qid=208281831
Whereas I understand your reasons for virtualizing IE, and I completely agree with them, Microsoft might not share your enthusiasm.
It just as a side note as the guys above provided enough information to get you started, but I'd look into MS licensing with respect to virtualizing IE... Virtualizing IE is basically unsupported, and against MS licensing
here
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/1523934/Microsoft-shuts-down-IT-pro-requests-to-allow-IE-virtualization
here
http://blogs.gartner.com/neil_macdonald/2010/09/22/virtualizing-ie6-using-application-virtualization-violates-microsofts-eula/
here
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/2240030587/To-hell-with-Microsofts-rule-against-IE-virtualization
and here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2020599
Not that I that I want to discourage you, but I think you should have all the information before you go down this route.
It just as a side note as the guys above provided enough information to get you started, but I'd look into MS licensing with respect to virtualizing IE... Virtualizing IE is basically unsupported, and against MS licensing
here
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/1523934/Microsoft-shuts-down-IT-pro-requests-to-allow-IE-virtualization
here
http://blogs.gartner.com/neil_macdonald/2010/09/22/virtualizing-ie6-using-application-virtualization-violates-microsofts-eula/
here
http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/news/2240030587/To-hell-with-Microsofts-rule-against-IE-virtualization
and here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2020599
Not that I that I want to discourage you, but I think you should have all the information before you go down this route.
2. You could use a Linux Kiosk installation
3. On m$ OS's don't use IE, but rather firefox, it doesn't support ActiveX controls which makes it safer than IE. There is also a portable version of FF...
For Linux Distro's and LiveCD's check out Distrowatch:
http://distrowatch.com
and for FF Portable, PortableApps:
http://portableapps.cpm