Password Data Type Conversion

[scott]

If I store passwords in a field as a "password" type, using code, can they
be converted into their real identity?

Example:

Can *** be converted to "123" with code?

 

[Graham Mandeno]

Hi Scott

"Password" is only a special type of input mask. It alters the way the
characters are displayed on the screen, but does not change what is stored.

If you remove the "Password" input mask from a textbox, you will see the
password in plain text. Or, is you assign the contents of a "Password" field
to a string, you can do whatever you want with it.

 

[Chris O'C via AccessMonster.com]

Not sure if you mean encryption or Access's built-in feature to obscure
passwords. If you mean that you're encrypting the data with your own code,
the data can be decrypted if a developer sees your code and can write a
decryption algorithm. Probably not a good idea, unless you're a professional
cryptologist.

If you mean Access's built-in feature, there's no password data type. It's a
text field with an input mask. Remove the field's input mask in table design
view, and you can see the actual data. The password input mask is only meant
to obscure the data, not keep it secure.

Chris
Microsoft MVP