sql script with strange password string

we have located a sql script (*.sql) on a file share which seems to show passwords for an initial creation of a SQL database, for example it has sp_addlogin commands, and then a number of accounts and passwords.

However, the password does not seem to comprise of standard alpha numeric characters, and contains a number of "special" characters, e.g. µ, ·, â, Ë

can SQL Server handle these characters in a password, or is it more likely this is some sort of encrypted representation of the password? Or can you use any character you like in a SQL Server password? It seems a bizarre combination if you ever had to enter those when entering a password to access a database, I was just intrigued what it may be, and whether SQL Server can use those characters or if its restricted to more common values, e.g. a..z, A..Z, !"£$%^&*()-, 0..9 etc.

LVL 4

pma111Asked: 2017-03-31

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LVL 55

Vitor MontalvãoMSSQL Senior EngineerCommented: 2017-03-31

can SQL Server handle these characters in a password, or is it more likely this is some sort of encrypted representation of the password? Or can you use any character you like in a SQL Server password?

Yes it can handle it since you can use any kind of characters. That's a good way to have a strong password. The cons is that it more hard to remember the password and typos can occur more often.

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