Safe way to transfer files from guest to host?

[Asus125]

I have been using VMware Player for some time now. I know how one can copy files from guest to host host, but which is the safest way to do it?

[Nebulus]

Depends on what you mean by safe... If you think about file integrity, then you could use a checksum to verify that, no matter how you transfer your file. If you think about security, you could use a protocol like SFTP (install a server on guest or host). But if you transfer files from your computer to a VM on the same computer, the second part (about security) should not matter too much.

[Asus125]

-{ Quote: "Depends on what you mean by safe...." }-

I mean by safe that any file which should remain guest cannot escape or make connection to host without my knowledge. For example: flash cookies, malware and etc.

I think there's currently a three choice to copy the files from the guest: drag and drop, usb-drive, and shared folder.

[Asus125]

Does the shared folder feature use TCP/IP for transfering the file for my host desktop folder? If it uses, can it contaminate my network somehow? I am using NAT in guest and Both OS are windows.

[Nebulus]

-{ Quote: "Does the shared folder feature use TCP/IP for transfering the file for my host desktop folder? If it uses, can it contaminate my network somehow? I am using NAT in guest and Both OS are windows." }-

There is no TCP/IP involved for shared folder (at least for VirtualBox), but having a working network connection on guest when running any kind of "dangerous" experiments inside a VM is not the best idea.

[Asus125]

-{ Quote: "There is no TCP/IP involved for shared folder (at least for VirtualBox), but having a working network connection on guest when running any kind of "dangerous" experiments inside a VM is not the best idea." }-


Nice to know, thanks, Nebulus. I am also running everything in sandboxie (guest) and doesn't try to do anything harmful for the system. I am just trying to think worst case scenario before I act. ;)