What is a "sandbox" analysis?

A "sandbox" analysis refers to the practice of executing and observing suspicious files within a controlled and isolated virtual environment. This method allows cybersecurity professionals and analysts to study the behavior of potentially harmful software without risking the security of the actual operating system or the network. The key advantage of sandboxing is that it provides a safe space where malicious activities can be examined in real-time, enabling analysts to understand the nature of the threat, its impact, and the techniques used by the malware.

In this context, running suspicious files in a controlled environment allows for detailed observation of the file’s interactions, system modifications, and network connections, which are critical for identifying and developing effective countermeasures against malware.

The other options involve different cybersecurity practices: backing up data is crucial for disaster recovery, encrypting sensitive information is a preventive measure to secure data, and creating duplicates of important files aids in data protection. However, none of these practices encompass the analytical and observational focus that sandbox analysis provides regarding potentially harmful entities.