Virtual private server with enhanced security

Abstract

An end user computer includes a processor running an operating system. A plurality of virtual private servers (VPSs) are supported within the operating system. A plurality of applications are available to a user of the end user computer. The applications are launched within different VPSs. At least one of the VPSs has multiple applications launched within it. At least two of the applications are launched within different VPSs, and communicate with each other using secure communications means, such as firewalls, proxies, dedicated clipboards, named pipes, shared memory, dedicated inter-process communications, Local Procedure Calls/Remote Procedure Calls, API, network sockets, TCP/IP communications, network protocol communications and memory mapped files. The VPSs can be dynamically created and terminated. VPS control means are available to the user and include means for creation/termination of VPSs, a file system and registry backup, control information for backup/restore of data on a VPS level, placement of applications/processes rules for creation/support of corresponding VPSs, granulation of isolation for VPS/applications/processes, computer resource control, definition of permissible operations for inter-VPS communication, means for definition of permissible operations for inter-process communications.