Workbook security question

[Guest]

I have a complex workbook including VBA code to be distributed to franchise
outlets however I do not want the workbook copied. I understand that 'dongle'
stle security devices such as Alladin's HASP can only protect .exe files. Is
there an easy way to adapt the workbook so that it can be protected by these.

Alternatively, is it possible to code into an AutoOpen sub a check reference
the IP address of the computer in use and so only have it work on that PC? I
appreciate that this is not a secure solution but may well serve to deter the
casual plagiarists.

Or does anyone know of another method of providing at least a reasonable
defence from having the file copied.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

files can be copied using windows explorer outside of excel or any type of
protection you could put on the file. Any built in protection provided by
Excel is easily broken and certainly there is little in the way of
protection you can do if you mean you don't want the data in the file
copied.

Any code based solution is easily defeated by selecting to disable macros
when the workbook is opened. I think this would rule out code that would
check a donagle.

You safest easy method as a deterence would be to put critical information
and code in an Addin which is installed by the user in Tools=>Addins. Then
make the workbook used by the user dependent on this addin (or have the
addin create the workbook the user uses only including essential information
that the use has to see). Internal proprietary data would remain in the
addin. Not bullet proof, but would discourage casual users.

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

information on addins:

See Jan Karel Pieterse's tutorial at:

http://www.jkp-ads.com/Articles/DistributeMacro00.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=167909
XL: Securing Visual Basic Code in Microsoft Excel

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=156942
XL97: How to Create an Add-in File in Microsoft Excel 97

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=211563
How to create an add-in file in Excel 2000

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/odeopg/html/deovrexceladdins.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/odeopg/html/deovrcreatingexceladdin.asp

http://www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/tips/tip45.htm
Excel 97: Creating Add-Ins