Jet SP8

[Stevo]

I installed Office 2003 and then tried to open an Access
2000 file. A message box appeared stating something
about 'Unsafe expressions blocked' and that I should
install MS Jet SP8 to fix it. I did this and then ran
the file again and the same thing happened. It's like
the Service Pack didn't fix the problem. Any tips?????

 

[Arvin Meyer]

I installed Office 2003 and then tried to open an Access
2000 file. A message box appeared stating something
about 'Unsafe expressions blocked' and that I should
install MS Jet SP8 to fix it. I did this and then ran
the file again and the same thing happened. It's like
the Service Pack didn't fix the problem. Any tips?????

Scary message which means little more than if there was a malicious bit of
code that ran in a query, having you security set to medium or high would
stop it (unless it was certificate signed code) Since Microsoft sample
databases are unsigned, even they will trigger this.

The fact is, that there haven't been any Access viruses in over 6 years.
That does not mean that there can't be one. It just means that there hasn't
been one. The reason is is that it's not too easy to distribute an Access
virus and it would only go to a few dozen people instead of thousands.

You have several choices:

1. Require all code to be signed. Be prepared for a developer to charge you
more to pay for the certificate. Independent developers cannot normally get
one without a corporate business license, so be prepared to pay even more.

2. Use a proper firewall and anti-virus and set your security settings to
low.

Tools ... Macros ... Security

If the Security item isn't on the menu, you'll need to reset your toolbar.
You should be able to do that by right-clicking on any toolbar, choose
Customize, select the Menu bar, and choose Reset.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads:
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access

 

[Stevo]

So, Arvin, should I leave the new service pack
installed? Or should I restore my computer to before the
service pack was installed? It stated in the message box
that the service pack (Jet SP8) would fix the problem.

thanks

 

[Arvin Meyer]

It won't hurt to leave it installed.

If you are way behind in your Jet SPs, I would definitely leave it
installed. Jet SP7 was fixed by SP8 and if you don't have at least SP4
installed, you can expect some old problems to persist. I'm not sure you can
back it out anyway. I have it installed on most of my machines. I also have
a firewall and an up to date anti-virus signature.

Just this morning, the anti-virus software found a malicious bit of code in
my temporary internet files. I don't get viruses because I am careful, and I
always am up to date with my AV signatures. I also use 3 firewalls. With all
that, I've caught 2 viruses, before they spread, in the last 2 years.

I can't stress enough how important it is to be secure, That security,
however, does not need to come solely from 1 piece of software.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
Microsoft Access
Free Access downloads:
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access