Don't allow file copying

[M.A.Halim]

Dear All
I have a complete data base, I want stop anyone who is not authorised to
copy that file. ho can this be done?

Thanks

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

There's nothing in Access that will prevent people from copying the file.

It's possible that there might be something in the operating system that can
do this, but I'm not aware of any way.

 

[M.A.Halim]

O.K how can I limit the access to modify all objects other than tables?
--
M.A.Halim
(e-mail address removed)

There's nothing in Access that will prevent people from copying the file.

It's possible that there might be something in the operating system that can
do this, but I'm not aware of any way.

 

[Baz]

I assume you are talking about an Access database file.

People who don't need to open the database can be denied read access to the
file by using Windows security. Please ask about this in a Windows group if
you need more information.

People who need to open the database need read access to the file. If
they've got read access to the file then they can copy it, there is nothing
you can do to prevent that.

If you split your database into a front-end and a back-end, with all the
data tables in the back-end, then there are various things you can do to
make it harder for people to find the back-end, or if they do find it and
take a copy of it, to make it harder to get into it. But, all you are doing
is slowing them down, the bottom line is that anyone who has read access to
the file (because they need to be able to open it) can copy it, and if they
can copy it then any security you apply to the file from within Access can
be easily cracked by anyone with just a little knowledge.

If security is really important to you, the only real answer is to use a
server database engine such as SQL Server.

 

[M.A.Halim]

O.K Baz
I have seen some files with very good protection that you can only open the
tables but the queries and other objects can not be opened because of
password and /or even can be hidden. How can I do the best protection even to
slow them down to the maximum?

--
M.A.Halim
(e-mail address removed)

I assume you are talking about an Access database file.

People who don't need to open the database can be denied read access to the
file by using Windows security. Please ask about this in a Windows group if
you need more information.

People who need to open the database need read access to the file. If
they've got read access to the file then they can copy it, there is nothing
you can do to prevent that.

If you split your database into a front-end and a back-end, with all the
data tables in the back-end, then there are various things you can do to
make it harder for people to find the back-end, or if they do find it and
take a copy of it, to make it harder to get into it. But, all you are doing
is slowing them down, the bottom line is that anyone who has read access to
the file (because they need to be able to open it) can copy it, and if they
can copy it then any security you apply to the file from within Access can
be easily cracked by anyone with just a little knowledge.

If security is really important to you, the only real answer is to use a
server database engine such as SQL Server.

 

[Baz]

You are most likely talking about Access workgroup-based security. It's a
complex subject, but you could start here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/207793/en-us#appliesto

Be aware, however, that (i) this kind of security is not difficult to
"crack" and that (ii) it has been dropped from Access 2007 for the new accdb
file format, so it probably doesn't have much of a future.

O.K Baz
I have seen some files with very good protection that you can only open
the
tables but the queries and other objects can not be opened because of
password and /or even can be hidden. How can I do the best protection even
to
slow them down to the maximum?

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

O.K how can I limit the access to modify all objects other than tables?

\

You most certainly can, and should hide all of the ms-access interface. The
options to complete hide and keep people out of the ms-access interface can
easily be done using the tools->start-up options. Using those options allows
you to complete hide the ms-access interface (tool bars, database window
etc). Also, using these options means you
do not have to bother setting up security.

Try downloading and running the 3rd example at my following web site that
shows a hidden ms-access interface, and NO CODE is required to do
this....but just some settings in the start-up.

Check out:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/DownLoad.htm

After you try the application, you can exit, and then re-load the
application, but hold down the shift key to by-pass the start-up options. If
want, you can even disable the shift key by pass. I have a sample mdb file
that will let you "set" the shift key bypass on any application you want.
You can get this at:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/msaccess/msaccess.html

If you convert your application to a mde, and use the above approach, users
will be prevented from being able to view code, change code, and the same
will applies to forms and reports. Your designs will be locked up, and users
will NOT be able to see, or modify your application.