How to protect xml files?

Hello,

I'm trying to secure my xml files my making them read only and also if possible not to allow users to open them. Below is a code I found in the web but I can't use it with the method that I'm usimg to view my xml using VB.NET is there a way to modify the code to work with my VB.NET project?

Methos used to open xml files:
Dim dt As New DataTable()
dt.Columns.Add("Link_ID")
Dim linker As XElement = XElement.Load(Application.StartupPath + "\LinkFinal.xml")
For Each item As XElement In linker.Elements("Row")
Dim linkID As String = item.Element("Link_ID").Value
 Dim dr As DataRow = dt.NewRow()
            dr("Link_ID") = linkID
Next
 bs.DataSource = dt
        C1TrueDBGrid1.DataSource = bs
        Dim FilteredDT As DataTable

        Dim DV As New DataView(dt, SearchCriteria, Nothing, DataViewRowState.CurrentRows)
        FilteredDT = DV.ToTable
        C1TrueDBGrid1.DataSource = FilteredDT
             
Code found:
File.Open("C:\temp\Filename.xml",FileMode.Append,FileAccess.ReadWrite,FileShare.None);

Thanks,

Victor