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.