Google defines "Sandboxing"

[spiderbait]

This may not be the world-shattering definition some people were expecting, but it's worth noting nonetheless.

Google has taken the term "Sandboxing" and given it Google's very own meaning and it's not what many of us might have expected. This means proponents of the sandbox model of Google's algorithm and SERPS may want to find a new name.

With the launch of Google Chrome, Google has published an online reference book, in comic book form, describing the technology behind the browser.

In particular, Section 4 (beginning on page 25) deals with security and it introduces the term "sandboxing" as the method by which the browser isolates potential malware.

The book even refers to a group of Google engineers called "the sandbox team" but, if this book is accurate, they have nothing to do with SERPS and are exclusively concerned with security for the browser.

Anyway, like I said, it's not earth shattering news, but I thought many of you would want to know.

[crankydave]

Nice post.

Here's another way one could look at it...

The term, as it has been used in the past, describes an idea/concept whereas the "rights are stripped away" and a site is "placed in jail" when it comes to ranking.

Same concept if you will, different application. So has Google redefined "sandbox" or taken the "concept" and applied it to something else?

Dave

[spiderbait]

Originally Posted by crankydave

Nice post.

Here's another way one could look at it...

The term, as it has been used in the past, describes an idea/concept whereas the "rights are stripped away" and a site is "placed in jail" when it comes to ranking.

Same concept if you will, different application. So has Google redefined "sandbox" or taken the "concept" and applied it to something else?

Dave

Hi Dave,

I think they've specifically co-opted the term (taken it and given it the meaning they've chosen). That's the main reason I thought this would be of interest to people.

If the new Chrome browser catches on (which I expect it will) it's quite possible that the term "sandbox" could become much better known by the general public. But since that public awareness will revolve around the concept of security and malware, it's probably a good idea to be prepared for that when talking with clients about their site's rankings.

I know I'll certainly make sure to avoid using the term sandbox. And if I do have to reference it in relation to SERPs, I won't do it without adding the caveat that it doesn't mean Google has decided their site is distributing malware.

[wige]

The usage of sandboxing in the Chrome cartoon seems very closely in line with how it has been used by operating systems and programming languages in the past, at least to me.

When I first learned Java almost ten years ago, one of the first concepts that was introduced was the "sandbox" - the idea that a Java app or applet is executed in a segregated section of memory so that if that applet or application attempted something malicious, it would not have access to anything else on the system.

The SEO definition is a bit different, but it still refers to the concept of keeping things separate. In this case, a web site is in the "sandbox" - a waiting area before it is trusted and allowed to mingle with the rest of the sites in the index (whether such a place exists or not is a bit beside the point here).

[kgun]

Originally Posted by spiderbait

If the new Chrome browser catches on (which I expect it will) it's quite possible that the term "sandbox" could become much better known by the general public. But since that public awareness will revolve around the concept of security and malware, it's probably a good idea to be prepared for that when talking with clients about their site's rankings.

1. Writing a post here at WPW, this browser is definitely a step back. This list is automatic in FF.
2. In Chrome it is back to the stone age:
   
   

   List here in the old way beginning with [ LIST = 1 ...

3. What now little man? RedCarpetRank.com:: Want constructive feedback.
4. On that site today, I deleted the Google AdSense for search code and Google Suggest (That is now a standard feature).
5. Reason: See this tread with sub threads, especially about security and branding.
6. I have my private intuition about security etc. Google, do you care about reinclusion?

[GP200]

Agree Wige, sandbox or sandboxing is a liberal term for any closed environment, in programming usually a testing environment, for example PayPal has a developer sandbox for testing as do most webservices. I do a a lot of work with bank webservices handling application and approval data etc they all by necessity provide a testing area usually calling it The Sandbox.

OP has a very good point re clients. Sandbox will mean whatever Google tells them it means, although you have to doubt the larger web audience cares which browser they use, as seen by older version IE usage.

[spiderbait]

Originally Posted by wige

The usage of sandboxing in the Chrome cartoon seems very closely in line with how it has been used by operating systems and programming languages in the past, at least to me.
...
The SEO definition is a bit different, but it still refers to the concept of keeping things separate. In this case, a web site is in the "sandbox" - a waiting area before it is trusted and allowed to mingle with the rest of the sites in the index (whether such a place exists or not is a bit beside the point here).

Hi Wige,

You've summarized this perfectly and you're absolutely right in my opinion.

Your distinction of the SEO definition is precisely what I was speaking to. My point was that SEOs should use caution from this point forward using the term sandboxing, since as GP200 pointed out:

Originally Posted by GP200

... re clients. Sandbox will mean whatever Google tells them it means ...

Thanks for putting it so succinctly.

[kgun]

What has happened to Google's home page now? The Chrome download link is:

1. Deleted when I use Opera and FF.
2. Is it data center dependent or is there another reason?
3. Deleted on IE 6.X, but pops up on approximately each 5th refresh.

[spiderbait]

Originally Posted by kgun

1. Writing a post here at WPW, this browser is definitely a step back. This list is automatic in FF.
2. In Chrome it is back to the stone age:
3. What now little man? RedCarpetRank.com:: Want constructive feedback.
4. On that site today, I deleted the Google AdSense for search code and Google Suggest (That is now a standard feature).
5. Reason: See this tread with sub threads, especially about security and branding.
6. I have my private intuition about security etc. Google, do you care about reinclusion?

Hi kgun,

I'm not sure what you're trying to say with many of these points.

But I'm guessing you're simply expressing your opinions on the Google Chrome browser and whether it will (or should) become popular. And I suppose you're doing that because I expressed the opinion that I expect it to become popular.

So, whether it becomes popular and commonly used is yet to be seen. But I think we might agree that its destiny is linked to many things that are unrelated to sound technical and/or security choices, no matter how important those technical or security related issues might appear to you or me.

No matter what happens, it will be interesting to watch the development of this browser and its adoption by both users and developers alike. As the Google browser thread I resurrected from 3 1/2 years ago indicates, this project has been in development for a long time and I think Google must have a plan for ensuring its success.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by spiderbait

Hi kgun,

I'm not sure what you're trying to say with many of these points.

But I'm guessing you're simply expressing your opinions on the Google Chrome browser and whether it will (or should) become popular. And I suppose you're doing that because I expressed the opinion that I expect it to become popular.

No if you understand my posting it is much more serious. Do you know how much internet scam and fraud that is related to which browser you use, cost the USA?

Do you know anything about Chrome's security model?

[spiderbait]

Originally Posted by kgun

No if you understand my posting it is much more serious.

Well kgun,

I admitted that I didn't understand your posting except that it was an expression of your opinion.

Originally Posted by kgun

Do you know anything about Chrome's security model?

No kgun, I'm afraid I don't know much about it. That's why I haven't been posting in the topic that's discussing the browser. Instead I opted to create this posting about Google's use of the word sandboxing.

[wige]

Several things about Chrome's security model stand out to me, not the least of which is their sandbox approach. This would limit the possibility of a site in one tab (process) from communicating with another, preventing malicious scripts from affecting other sites. The approach to permissions seems interesting as well. By limiting the read and write capabilities of these processes, it may hinder the functionality of certain types of spyware.

However, since Javascript, applets and plugins all seem to share processes, this could be an easy attack vector.

Only time, and an army of hackers better than I, will tell.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by wige

Several things about Chrome's security model stand out to me, not the least of which is their sandbox approach. This would limit the possibility of a site in one tab (process) from communicating with another, preventing malicious scripts from affecting other sites. The approach to permissions seems interesting as well. By limiting the read and write capabilities of these processes, it may hinder the functionality of certain types of spyware.

My bolding. That is a least requirement.

Originally Posted by wige

However, since Javascript, applets and plugins all seem to share processes, this could be an easy attack vector.

I also noted the use of JavaScript.

Originally Posted by wige

Only time, and an army of hackers better than I, will tell.

I agree, since the security model is new and not fully understood, I would let doubt be an advantage to the old and tested browsers.

Google:
online scam OR fraud cost usa OR world billions

[spiderbait]

Might I respectfully suggest that it would be a good idea to start a thread to specifically address your security concerns with the Google browser, kgun?

That way people who aren't as interested in the security issues don't have to wade through them in this thread.

Thanks in advance.

[kgun]

I respect that, but I

1. Reacted to what you wrote: "If the new Chrome browser catches on (which I expect it will) ...
2. Reread my first post.

I think I have said what I need to say.

[emps]

Originally Posted by crankydave

Nice post.

Here's another way one could look at it...

The term, as it has been used in the past, describes an idea/concept whereas the "rights are stripped away" and a site is "placed in jail" when it comes to ranking.

Same concept if you will, different application. So has Google redefined "sandbox" or taken the "concept" and applied it to something else?

Dave

I,m not sure that sandbox is "a website jail". It is as someone explained a waiting area for websites that really have no defined purpose or reason to be a website. There is no penalty as such.

The real website "jail",meaning harder to escape from, is the google supplimentary index.