After using Security Wizard database won't winzip

[Guest]

Hi

I used the security wizard to secure my database.

Previously i had thought my database was secure but found out the access
could still be gained via the system.mdw

Before i used the security wizard i could compact the database and the
winzip it perfectly, but now when i try to winzip the database it doesn't
change in size.

This is a really bad problem for me as i usually email the updated versions
to our clients, now i can't because the size doesn't change.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gillian

 

[Joan Wild]

I'm a bit confused by your post. Do you want it secured or not? If you're able to open it using system.mdw, then it isn't secured properly. What version are you using - there's more to securing a mdb than running the wizard.

As for the compression by winzip, the wizard encrypts the mdb. An encrypted file will not compress. You can go to Tools, Security, Encryp/Decrypt database to remove the encryption. Then it will compress. Note that the encrypting is separate from securing.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your prompt reply sorry for my confusing post.

My database was unsecure, running the security wizard stopped access from
the system.mdw

But it appears to have encrypted my database at the same time.

By following your instructions i have now decrypted the database, which has
left the security intact and now allows me to use winzip again.

Thanks very much for your help

Gillian

 

[David W. Fenton]

As for the compression by winzip, the wizard encrypts the mdb. An
encrypted file will not compress. You can go to Tools, Security,
Encryp/Decrypt database to remove the encryption. Then it will
compress. Note that the encrypting is separate from securing.

....but still essential to securing it, since without it, anybody can
open the file in a binary editor and read the hard-coded strings in
the data and code.

 

[David W. Fenton]

By following your instructions i have now decrypted the database,
which has left the security intact and now allows me to use winzip
again.

And your data is now insecure.

 

[Chris Mills]

...but still essential to securing it, since without it, anybody can
open the file in a binary editor and read the hard-coded strings in
the data and code.

This seems a moot point, since anyone with that capacity would undoubtedly
have no trouble using a simpler method -gaining access via MS-Access anyway
via various "tools". Call me defeatest! David is right, just the importance is
questionable.

Nevertheless I usually use the in-built encryption. Better than nothing in
that area (perhaps). I have heard it said encryption may have up to 10%
performance penalty (dont have a figure myself), and of course the non-zipping
reduction one might hope for. But it's certainly separate from ULS.

I wouldn't describe in-built encryption as essential. I just note it does what
it claims and take one's choice of it's importance vs the noted impacts.

Chris