Question

Software for Encrypting XLS files at cell and worksheet level.

Asked by: hpjethwa

I want to protect my fromulas from being openedand copied. Ii am using Excel's built in password protection. I find password cracking softwares for excel for as little as $30. I want help in finding such software that does what Excel 2003 is doing (encryptingwise) but with stronger encryption.

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Asked On
2009-10-23 at 17:27:38ID24839795
Tags

Microsoft Office 2003

Topic

Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Software

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: MakriniPosted on 2009-10-23 at 22:38:48ID: 25650966

I don't think you will find anything to make excel do any more than that.  Excel simply was not built to be that secure and still operate with Excel.

  You better bet would be to create a proper application (with vB maybe) and compile it.

  Password cracking tools for excel is a waste of money as its a 2 line Macro to unlock any password protected spreadsheet..  (and can be done with notepad if you know even the smallest amount)

Frankly its easier to unprotect a workbook than it is to understand some of the better formulas out there.

 

by: zivkoPosted on 2009-10-24 at 08:13:41ID: 25652569

Hello,

Only using Excel 2003 Password protection is for sure not enough and can be broken in just seconds.

But if you also use the encryption capabilities of Excel 2003 (and 2007), you can reach a good level of security. Just remember to not use the default encryption settings which are very weak.

Here is a simple step by step how-to:
http://www.oraxcel.com/projects/encoffice/help/protect_excel.html

Here you can find a interesting article about Excel Security by the same authors:
http://www.oraxcel.com/projects/encoffice/help/How_safe_is_Excel_encryption.html

 

by: hpjethwaPosted on 2009-10-24 at 21:27:06ID: 25655517

Thanks ZIVKO: But what Oraxcel can do is to encrypt a file in way that it needs a password to open it. What i want is that the excel file can be opened by anyone but they should not be able to open the password protected cell or worksheets. Can there be a way where those excel files can be opened on designated PCs only.?....meaning: If somehow someone takes the file away they would not be able to open on their PCs..something like assigning digitial cerificate on all excel files.

 

by: hpjethwaPosted on 2009-10-24 at 21:44:03ID: 25655548

Is it true that if we protect the by using Strong Password that it would be hard to someone to crack it, or is it that they can open the xls file in other program to see the password used?

 

by: MakriniPosted on 2009-10-24 at 22:44:51ID: 25655642

Unimportant how strong the password is.  Its easy anyway.

I wish it were otherwise..

You can "very hide" sheets in VBA then have Macros auto unhide the sheet if Macros are enabled - but even this is fairly easy to get around...

 

by: MakriniPosted on 2009-10-24 at 22:52:03ID: 25655655

By the way - there is a product called  Datasafexl which is supposed to protect Excel workbooks..

  But I really have no confidence in any product out there to do this..  Excel has way too many vulnerabilities.

 

by: hpjethwaPosted on 2009-10-24 at 22:56:57ID: 31645330

Yes...That is what I was looking for. It is expensive $300 I have downloaded their demo. It says it is safe but I really do not know how much safe if I am spending $300.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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