Secure an access database completely?

[RTC]

We are allowing a customer to access one of our Access (2003) databases online. How to you secure access so that the following apply:

No right-click menu on any screen or report
No toolbar or menubar except for an icon to print and an icon to close form/report
Absolutely no way of getting into database window (either by holding down shift key or using F11)

Basically we want them to see screens and reports and nothing else. Needs to be watertight.

Thanks

 

[Len Boorman]

Okay

Right click can be disabled on the form or report properties

Specific toolbars can be created

F11 can be disabled

Bypass key can be disabled

And then someone imports all of the tables,forms,queries etc into a new database and all the above are bypassed.

I suggest Access security is the only option. You will find many posts on the subject and they will all advise to read the Access FAQ's at least 3 times and to take several backups before you do anything.

If you wish to send me a PM with an email address I have a couple of documents (incl the FAQ's) that I would be happy to send. Cannot post them here as zip is too big.


Access Security can be a minefield unless you do it absolutely by the book. Then it seems okay.

Maybe others would like to comment

Len

 

[Oldsoftboss]

It is quite easy to create your own menu in Access. To stop right click menus on forms, in the forms properties, set the ShortCut Menu to No

In the StartUp properties you can choose to not use special keys, Allow menu changes etc.

To stop data being imported into another Db I think Access security is the only true way. There are many posts on the subject.

Dave

 

[RTC]

Thanks Len, copying tables from another database wouldn't be an issue here. Using Citrix NFuse to port Access db onto the web - all they see is the one database, they have no way of creating a database and linking to the tables, all behind a secure firewall.
So could you tell me how to do the other stuff, I shouldn't need to touch Access Security settings hopefully.

 

[Len Boorman]

No right-click menu on any screen or report
See Properties of Form or report, Shortcut Menu set to No

No toolbar or menubar except for an icon to print and an icon to close form/report
With database window showing View/Toolbars/Customise. Basically create a new Menu Bar that contains only the items you want.

Absolutely no way of getting into database window (either by holding down shift key or using F11)

Tools/Startup will allow you to hide the database window on startup and also have only your own menubar. Also disables F11.

Search forum on Disable Shift Key and you will find code to do this.

Think about providing yourself a back door to get back in


Len

 

[RTC]

Thanks, that's excellent. One more - how do you disable the minimise, maximise and close top-right buttons on each screen/report?

 

[ghudson]

Check this out... hide all Access tool bars and menu bars

 

[Len Boorman]

how do you disable the minimise, maximise and close top-right buttons on each screen/report?

I think that if you select the correct Border Style (in Properties of form) and do have control box =No, Min Max buttons=No and Close button=No then you may be getting somewhere but there are others who can probably offer better advice. Must admit that whenever I have tried to shut these out there always seems to be something that stops me. Size of form or having Maximise on or something so good luck and hopefully somebody will pick this one up and solve the problem for me as well.

Len

 

[ghudson]

Do not maximize the form. Set the popup to yes and choose "no" border. You can set modal to yes to prevent the user from clicking under your form.

 

[RTC]

Thanks, I seem to have everything now except for the minimise / maximise / close buttons hidden. I disable these on the form, but it's the actual database ones that are still there at the very top right. How do you get rid of these?

Just saw reply above, I need the database maximised on opening though. I have docmd.maximise for the startup form.

 

[RTC]

popup and modal don't quite work - I lose the top bar where I have a custom print icon. So again I have everything hidden that I need except the min/max/close buttons of the actual database...

 

[ghudson]

You can disable the Access application close X button with code. Check out this thread where I posted the code... Hiding the MS Access Application Window Control Box

 

[RTC]

Thanks that worked. As I will never be enabling it, only disabling for good - do I need all that code. Is there not just one command that disables it when startup form opens? Maybe not.
Either way is it possible to do the same for the min/max buttons?

 

[ghudson]

Yes, you need the all the code to run the function. It is only activated for that application and is an on demand setting for it does not stick when the db is closed. You need to run it each time the db is first opened.

I have seen code to hide the min max application options but I have never messed with it. To me, that is one of those Windows settings that the user should have control over for it can not hard you db in any way. You will have to search for the code to remove the min max options. Good luck!