Security for a project that uses Access DB

Unfortunately, because of the easy password finding tools for Access, they simply do not do a good job of protection.  Your best option is to probably encrypt the data in the database that is sensitive, and use your app to encrypt/decrypt before writing/reading from the database respectively.

Yes, you can try to encrypt your database. Or, else you can just rename it yo somename that people wonn't notice like system_10.dll

~ fantasy ~

If you're dealing with an OS (NT, 2000, XP) that supports fule/directory permissions, you may be able to set things up so that only your application has permission to access the file.  See:

http://www-level3.experts-exchange.com/questions/20770069/Access-Network-Resources-using-Spoofing.html

AzraSound
Encrypting data sounds good, but speed is very important for my program. Thanks.

fantasy1001
I've already renamed my DB, but the LDB generated when a MDB is open let users know that the file is a standard Access DB.

lmckenzie
I did't know I could set permission this way. Unfortunately the program must work on any Win32 enviroment (from 95 to 2003).

I was thinking... what about using hidden autoexec macros in Access and hidding the tables makind them System tables?

Thanks to all

As long as your database is on the server, it doesn't matter what OS the user has.  If the database is on each individual user's system then encryption may be your only alternative with Access.  You seem to be assumint that someone is going to be motivated enough to hack your data.  If that's the case and it has to reside locally on the client machines consider using MSDE.  Then, you'll essentially be using SQL Server which is a more secure system.

Yes, the users will be motivated to to crack this database.

In most cases setting passwords and renaming will be enough, but not always...

I haven't used SQLServer, so I don't know if I need to do many changes to my code and if a SQLServer DB file(s) can be distribute freely with my program.

Thanks again.

What solution was used in the end?

well...

1-Renaming database
2-Autoexec macros in access to block the program
3-Hidding tables to make them system tables

I guess encrypt is the best method, but as I said, speed is very important for this project.

Thanks again AzraSound and all the others...

Wel, you're always going to face tradeoff of course.  It's drastic but there are quite a few freeware encryption components and programs available.   I'm pretty sure you can have your code in one file access data in another .mdb - perhaps attatching the tables I don't remember.  At any rate, You could encrypt the whole data .mdb file and have your code call the encryprion dll or shell the application and decrypt it.  Reverse the process when your application ends.  I don't know what the speed would be, depending on the size of the data .mdb but the decryption/encryption would only happen once at startup and shutdown.  You'd be working with regular data the rest of the time.  The only time they'd have access to the unencrypted data would be during your application's runtime and if you grab an exclusive lock then they couldn't open it then, even using Access.  They could ctrl-alt-delete and kill your application which would leave the data unencrypted.  If they tried to look at the encrypted .mdb otherwise, they's get an error which should discourage prying.  No solution is perfect but some form of encryption is probably the best you can do.