Password protecting database

L

Lorraine R

In Excel you can attach a password to the spreadsheet. How do I secure my
database in Access 2000? I have a "huge" database containing all the user
login information, etc. There are a select few who will be responsible for
updates, etc.
How do I put a password on the database?

Thanks,
Lorraine
 
J

Jerry Whittle

You can password protect the database by first opening it exclusively. To do
this open up Access by itself then find the database that you want to
password protect. There should be a dropdown next to the Open button on the
Open dialog box. Exclusive should be an option.

Once open go to Tools, Security, Set Database Password. At least that's
where it's at in Access 2003.

However it sounds like you don't want password security for the entire
database. If different people can do different tasks, you need User Level
Security which is a major undertaking. If that's what you need, you might
want to check out:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/254372/en-us
 
L

Lorraine R

Jerry,
I got to the part where I'm supposed to see an "exclusive" drop down option.
Not there. I don't have a drop down associated to OPEN. What do I try next?
 
J

John Spencer

Did you open Access Application and NOT your database?
-- Select File: Open from the menu
-- Navigate to your database and select it
-- CLICK on the down arrow on the OPEN Button
-- Select Open Exclusive from the list of choices

--
John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007
Center for Health Program Development and Management
University of Maryland Baltimore County
..
 
J

John W. Vinson

In Excel you can attach a password to the spreadsheet. How do I secure my
database in Access 2000? I have a "huge" database containing all the user
login information, etc. There are a select few who will be responsible for
updates, etc.
How do I put a password on the database?
Click to expand...


Tools... Security... Set Database Password.

*but*... this is about as secure as a $8.95 bicycle lock. There are hacks
readily available on the net to read the password.

If you want a higher level of security use Access workgroup security: download
the Microsoft Access 2000 Security FAQ:

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

It applies to versions up through 2003; Microsoft chose to remove it from 2007
:-{(.

Print out the FAQ. Read it carefully. Get a good night's sleep. Read it again,
even more carefully! Follow the instructions scrupulously; it's complex and
easy to do wrong.

If there is a business-critical need for security and you need to protect the
data from skilled and determined people, no file server solution is very safe;
workgroup security can be cracked too. Putting the data in a client-server
database such as SQL/Server is much more robust; you can still use Access as
your frontend.

John W. Vinson [MVP]
 
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