Comment by flyingshelf
2 days ago
Hello, are you aware that ALL the software you run on your computer can silently access your clipboard? Have you ever copied sensitive data? Perhaps a password?
Anyway, what I'm asking is a native way to run software in a real sandbox. It's really not a big deal to grant access when asked. Have you used any mobile OSes in the past 20 years? It's the default there and I can be certain that any random utility cannot read my clipboard or user directory without consent.
>> are you aware that ALL the software you run on your computer can silently access your clipboard? Have you ever copied sensitive data?
I use the clipboard regularly and do not use software I don’t trust. If I do run risky software and am compromised, I understand that I took the risk and am responsible for leaving my front door open. Separately but related, I am in favor of severe punishment of the perpetrators of scams and exploitation.
If you want to have walls put around your software, then you have to build them.
I admit I had a knee jerk reaction because I’m frustrated general with a pattern of adults wanting to abdicate responsibility. I apologize for my irreverence. Maybe there is a way the OS can offer these protections you want without nerfing the rest of the world and putting an invisible ceiling on everybody. I think the “Run as Administrator” option in the context menu is pretty elegant. Maybe there could be a “Run in a container” version that excludes access to things like clipboard, external directories, and other non-essential assets. If that is enough to stem the desire to spread the “protective” reach of the machines of loving grace, then you have my vote.
What I DON’T want is to be prompted by the OS every time I want to paste something into a 3rd party app. Think about how much more momentum that gives the platforms to portray 3rd party software as potentially untrustworthy. At the risk of mind-reading, I don’t think that is a world that you would want to live in. I hope that people are more considerate of the potential downsides before they wish for these changes.