What does "sandboxing" refer to in the context of email security?

Sandboxing in the context of email security is a technique that involves executing an email attachment or link in a controlled and isolated environment before it reaches the user's inbox. This environment, often referred to as a "sandbox," allows for the secure analysis of potentially harmful content without exposing the wider network to threats.

By running attachments in the sandbox, security systems can evaluate their behavior and determine if they exhibit malicious characteristics, such as trying to exploit vulnerabilities or communicating with known malvertising domains. If the content is deemed safe, it can then be released to the user; if it is malicious, it can be blocked, preventing potential harm to the system or network.

This approach is particularly effective at mitigating risks from zero-day exploits or previously unknown malware since it provides a way to test potentially dangerous files in a safe setting.