Access Security - Add/remove users, groups

[energieblast]

Hi all,

I just started a new job and I need to be able to maintain and administer an Access database that has no documentation at all. It has a high security on tables and views, and restricted access to certain groups and users. I am not even sure whether the person that created te database has used the built-in Access security or created his own. How do I find out? I could hardly get a copy of tables and fields, but don't see anything related to user and group accounts. As a first step I need to be able to add more users to this database. There is an *.mdw file that is used for security purposes I believe.

I am new to Access so any help, or tips are greatly appreciated.

 

[dvannoy]

do you know the Admin password?? if so, link your PC to the MDW file that controls security for that DB.you would need to know where the person stored this file. after linking to that file you can add, delete or do anything you want.

another thing you can do is, make a copy of the DB and create your own MDW file and your own security. the MDW only works when the PC is attached to the MDW file.

if the person created his own security then you may have a problem if you donot have his passwords..

 

[JeremyNYC]

Actually, I think the previous poster is missing a couple of important bits of understanding of access security. If a datagase is properly secured, you will not be able to get into it without the mdw file.

If the database uses an mdw, you can get that it uses access's built-in security. Whether or not it also uses some home-brewed security elements you'll have to discover on your own.

And I don't think we'll be able to advise you on much of anything untilyou do the discovery portion of the project and report back to us with what you've found.

If it's just using Access security, you're in luck, as there is a comprehensive (well, almost) document available that, once you read it three times will tell you just about all you need to know on the subject, and ther eis a large group of developers who know that security system inside and out.

If you need that document, the FAQ, you can get it from MS or from my web site.

Jeremy

==
Jeremy Wallace
AlphaBet City Dataworks

http://www.ABCDataworks.com

Professional Development for Clients Large and Small

Please post in the appropriate forum with a descriptive subject; code and SQL, if referenced; and expected results. See thread181-473997 for more pointers.

 

[dvannoy]

JeremyNYC,

interesting...I mostly do SQL and VB front ends..but how do you secure a DB without linking the PC to the MDW file??

 

[JeremyNYC]

I was responding to this:
"the MDW only works when the PC is attached to the MDW file."

which I interpreted as you saying that if you get rid of the MDW, the database will not be secured. That is not the case. Once secured, the MDW will need to be present to get into the database.

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted or wrote harshly.

Jeremy

==
Jeremy Wallace
AlphaBet City Dataworks

http://www.ABCDataworks.com

Professional Development for Clients Large and Small

Please post in the appropriate forum with a descriptive subject; code and SQL, if referenced; and expected results. See thread181-473997 for more pointers.

 

[energieblast]

Jeremy and Dvannoy,
thanks for your input.

Jeremy,
You were right the database was using the built-in security which is actually great, I could easily add users from the Tools -> Security option. However when assigning permissions I had to be logged in as an administrator. I have found the .mdw file together with the .mdb version and was curious why I am not able to open it? Error:
"You do not have the necessary permissions to use the *.mdb object." So is this *.mdb created automatically by Access and not intended to be opened up? I don't quite understand this...
by the way thanks for the info on the FAQ, it is great!