The Role of Virtual Machines in Enhancing Security in Operating Systems

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer system. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, providing a way to use and manage multiple virtualized environments on the same hardware. Virtual machines are commonly used for testing software in different environments, running multiple operating systems on a single machine, and isolating applications for security purposes. They are created using virtualization software, such as VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V, which simulates the hardware of a physical computer and allows the installation and operation of multiple virtual machines on a single physical host.