# Timeouts and saving your work (backups, github)

### Save your work in the Sandbox

[Sandbox Interactive virtual machines (IVMs)](/working-in-the-sandbox/uniqueness-of-sandbox-in-providing-a-secure-environment-to-access-individual-level-data.md) are automatically shut down after being idle for 24 hours (if no analysis is running in the background or the user has not moved their mouse or typed for 24 hours). This is done to save costs.

If the IVM shuts down, and you have unsaved changes, those will be lost. To make sure your files are not lost when the IVM is shut down, save your work either in the Sandbox red folder or in your home directory.

### Reconnection

When using the IVM, you will be asked to reconnect once an hour. This is due to the technical limitations of the platform the sandbox runs on. You will get a message like the one below. It can be worrying as it often pops up in the middle of typing. Not to worry though, when you reconnect everything will be as you have left it.

Due to data security the Sandbox has to check every half hour if it should put on the screen lock, which is what causes this situation.

![](/files/KJdTP98GIduexFLA03Yp)


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