Using Security Features in Access

Strategies for Securing an Access Database

Microsoft Access 2000 supports several levels and methods of file protection:

• User access restriction

  You can use startup options to restrict access to default menus and toolbars, the Database window, and special keys.

• File open protection

  You can set a password to control opening the database.

• Source code protection

  You can save an application as an MDE file to remove Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) source code and prevent changes to the design of forms, reports, and modules.

• Database encryption

  You can use database encryption to prevent unauthorized users from viewing the objects in an application with a disk editor or other utility program. You can use encryption with all other methods of protecting an application.

• User-level security

  You can use user-level security to apply the most powerful and flexible method of protecting an application. However, establishing user-level security is a complex process that might exceed your requirements.

The strategy that you use depends on the extent of security you need and how the application is used.