Quarantine is an information security term used to refer to a state or process in which a computer or device is isolated or confined in order to prevent the spread of malicious software or other security threats. This state or process is typically initiated after suspicious files or activities have been detected on the system, and provides an extra layer of protection against potential damage.
Quarantine is used a variety of security methods, ranging from anti-virus programs to network-based intrusion detection systems. It works by isolating potentially malicious files and activities, and preventing them from having any impact on the system outside of the quarantine area. Files or activities under quarantine are subject to further investigation before being allowed access to the rest of the system.
Quarantine can also refer to the type of virtualized environment where potentially malicious software is run in order to test its capabilities or determine its purpose. Systems that are run in quarantine are designed to prevent the software or activity from having any access or interaction with the underlying system, making it ideal for isolating security threats.
Quarantine is an important part of any security program, and helps minimize the risk of malicious software or other malicious activities from having a damaging or disastrous impact on a system or network. It’s important to remember, however, that quarantine does not provide a fool proof method of protection. It’s important to set up a comprehensive security program to protect yourself and your data.
