Protect a Database

[russell576]

I have created a database for my daughter's dancing school to keep track of their members (past & present) and exam results.

It is just about finished. They don't have Access on their computer so I will be installing the Access Runtime program. I have split the database so the data is separate from the 'Front End'. It has been programmed in such a way that there aren't any controls on any of the forms and all the reports open in preview.

The last time I used Access was probably 20 years ago! I seem to remember that it was then possible to double click on the file to run the database (no password) but in order to see the VBA and form/report structures, you needed a password.

I am concerned that someone else in the school might ask for a copy of the files as they would be able to alter them if they had a copy of Access.

 

[gemma-the-husky]

no quite. double click to run, works like any file. the file extension (mdb, accdb) is associated with MS Access, so dble-clicking opens the database with the default app - in this case MS Access.

the code is available to anyone who opens the database normally. Passwords are not the most secure protection. Instead, compile it into a mde/accde. They could still copy it, but they won't be able to redesign anything.

copy prevention itself is a whole new ballgame

note that in a run time version, any unhandled run time error will crash the app instantly

 

[russell576]

Thank you, Gemma. I appreciate that they would still be able to copy the file, that isn't such a problem. I was more concerned that they could try to redesign the forms/reports. I have programmed error handling in all the event procedures.