General Lagginess of Firefox

[They]

Hi there folks. I've been using Sandboxie 3.76 for a variety of reasons up until now, mainly because any version that succeeded it caused a noticeable slowdown in performance. The best description of how using Firefox would be like using it through a remote desktop connection that is imposing a delay on all inputs and subsequent display. After upgrading to Windows 8.1, updating Sandboxie became necessary as well since the driver won't start at all under 8.1 though it would with 8.0.

A quick summary of my findings:

-Firefox has been running smoothly unsandboxed & sandboxed for years with Windows 7, no lags, sluggishness scrolling and unresponsive text input
-Intrusive user applications shouldn't be present, Agnitum Outpost Firewall is the only software installed and running in that area, completely shutting it down has no effect
-Tested Safe Mode of Firefox and a default profile - no effect on the problem
-Unsandboxed instances are running smoothly with the current system configuration
-The system is not under any kind of load CPU, GPU or storage wise while testing


I'd like to get to the bottom of this, so if there is anything I can do, provide information or do some testing, I will gladly do it.

[JimC@invincea]

I've seen this resolved with an uninstall reinstall of either Firefox or Sandboxie. Give that a shot.

-Jim

[They]

Making sure faulty installs and/or configurations are not the cause were the first things on my list to cross out.

Instead of getting any further, I have made out a workaround, albeit a dirty one: OpenWinClass=*. Excluding all and any windows that are used by Firefox didn't fix the problem, only using that setting. With it, all trouble is resolved.

[JoeHood]

I can verify that here also. Firefox lags without the setting. I use openwinclass=# though, it works just as well and is a little more secure.
http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?OpenWinClass

[Mr.X]

@ They and JoeHood
Thanks for interesting finding. Could you please share the precise syntax you used for this setting? Both for * and #

TIA

[JoeHood]

It is explained in the link I provided.

[Buster]

Specifying OpenWinClass=# resolves this problem, at the cost of a lesser degree of separation.

Who uses that separation and with what purpose(s)?

What are the security implications of using "OpenWinClass=*"?

I made this question several times to Ronen and I only received a ban as reply.

[JoeHood]

From the link - http://www.sandboxie.com/index.php?OpenWinClass
Note that OpenWinClass=# does not allow communication with any windows outside the sandbox, and may interfere with some drag-and-drop operation
Note that OpenWinClass=* allows full communication with all windows outside the sandbox, but may interfere with some drag-and-drop operations.

OpenWinClass=# only has to do with translating the windows class names - OpenWinClass=* allows full access.

[Bellzemos]

I too remember the drama around the "OpenWinClass=*" setting. I think that it lessens Sandboxie's security so I'm never using it. If anyone can tell more about what exactly it does I'd be grateful.

[JoeHood]

I too remember the drama around the "OpenWinClass=*" setting. I think that it lessens Sandboxie's security so I'm never using it. If anyone can tell more about what exactly it does I'd be grateful.

That is why I mentioned the OpenWinClass=# setting. From the description of what it does there is no added security risk created with that setting. And at least in my case, has the desired effect.

[Mr.X]

That is why I mentioned the OpenWinClass=# setting. From the description of what it does there is no added security risk created with that setting. And at least in my case, has the desired effect.

Could you show us how the line looks / written in sandboxie.ini please? I'm still a bit confused.

[JoeHood]

@Mr.X
[DefaultBox]

ConfigLevel=7
AutoRecover=y
Template=BlockPorts
Template=LingerPrograms
Template=AutoRecoverIgnore
RecoverFolder=%Desktop%
BorderColor=#00FFFF,off
Enabled=y
BoxNameTitle=-
OpenWinClass=#
NeverDelete=n

[They]

I can verify that here also. Firefox lags without the setting. I use openwinclass=# though, it works just as well and is a little more secure.

Curious that you are able to fix it with OpenWinClass=#. While testing, I did try that setting as well and it has no measurable effect on my system.





Maybe it should be added that this phenomenon isn't limited to Firefox. It is happening with all sandboxed programs.

[Mr.X]

@ JoeHood
Was your finding a trial and error or do you know how this OpenWinClass setting really works? Because I read 5 times its definition but can't correlate it to the positive effect on lagginess of Firefox.
But it seems to work though, in my system a bit difference it's noticeable.
Thanks for your efforts btw.

[bo.elam]

My Firefox feels the same sandboxed or unsandboxed. I cant tell the difference. You guys should check the rest of security programs that you are using along SBIE. Antiviruses, web guards, etc, take a toll.

Bo