DBMS (*.MDB) file security 1

[password99]

I am using Access as Back-end DB and would like to protect it so that it only opens through ODBC or my application. I do not want anyone to open the DB in Access. How can I prevent that?

I remeber seeing a similiar application where they had accomplished this so that if you open their MDB DB in Access it used to display an error that the DB file is in unrecognizable format.

 

[psemianonymous]

You can add the "autoexec" macro, and in the first line of the macro put "Quit". This will close down the application before it gets started.


But, this won't stop people from importing your tables into another Access MDB. You won't be able to prevent this type of "intrusion" unless you use the built-in JET security (which is imperfect, but is better than homebrew security by far).


Another way to protect your data is to put the MDB itself in a restricted folder. NT/Domain security is better, and is company-supported! --
Find common answers using Google Groups:

http://groups.google.com/groups?group=comp.databases.ms-access

 

[password99]

Thanks for your reply. I am fairly new to Access and I would apprecaite if you could explain further.

How do I add the macro to the "autoexec"?

How do I use the JET security?

I cannot put the DB in a restricted folder since it needs to be accessed by several users in client/server environment.

Appreciate your reply.

 

[psemianonymous]

1. Go to the macro list and add a macro. Call it "autoexec". Access looks for this macro every time it boots up.

2. JET (Access database engine = JET) security is ... tough. There are many good resources for learning JET security. Look under the FAQs section and read up on JET security if you plan on using it. It will take some time to learn (I'd set aside several hours to fully understand how it works), but if you plan on using it, it is MUCH better to learn it all at once rather than making mistakes and attempting to fix them later.

3. You CAN put your database in a restricted folder. Consider the possibility of asking your IT department to create a special folder for this database and adding all the users of the database to the folder permissions. You may be surprised. Also, with this type of security, you don't have to implement any other type of Access/JET security measures. Just consider the option. --
Find common answers using Google Groups:

http://groups.google.com/groups?group=comp.databases.ms-access

 

[password99]

I coded the autoexec macro and it is behaving it is supposed to (closing when openened).

Is there also a way to prevent this macro from being executed when DB is opened?

 

[psemianonymous]

Yes. The most obvious way is to hold down the SHIFT key when opening the database.

The less obvious way is to create a new database and import everything (except for the autoexec macro). --
Find common answers using Google Groups:

http://groups.google.com/groups?group=comp.databases.ms-access