User Security and update after MDE

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jk - 01 Oct 2004 23:39 GMT

Hello,

I have been using my Access version 2000 FE/BE database for over a month and
now the management wants me to share it with others on the network.
1)I do not have any security execept for the simple open exclusive password
prompt.
2)Not interested in using access admin rights security.
3)I am interested in the steps to convert the FE of this DB into MDE and
maintaining the simple open exclusive password prompt so each user has to
enter one in on open.
4)Do i begin by making a copy of my front end to somthing like a half gig
thumb drive?Convert the FE on my desktop to mde then drop and drag to each
users folder on the network? Any future design changes would be done on a
copy of the original , convert that into MDE and redestribute the changes to
the users.Is this correct?

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Joan Wild - 02 Oct 2004 15:06 GMT

> Hello,
>
> I have been using my Access version 2000 FE/BE database for over a
> month and now the management wants me to share it with others on the
> network. 1)I do not have any security execept for the simple open
> exclusive password prompt.

OK, but do you realize how easy it is to crack? There are free ones
available on the internet.

> 2)Not interested in using access admin rights security.

> 3)I am interested in the steps to convert the FE of this DB into MDE
> and maintaining the simple open exclusive password prompt so each
> user has to enter one in on open.

First open your mdb, and hit Ctrl-G. Use Debug, Compile and Save to ensure
you have no errors. Close the debug window and then go to Tools, Database
Utilities, Make MDE. That will create the mde in the same folder as your
mdb. Be sure to keep the mdb as it is the only thing you can make design
changes in. Also understand that this will not prevent users from changing
tables, queries, or macros. You can do other things to keep them out of
these areas (Tools Startup settings) and also create custom
menubars/toolbars for use in your frontend.

> 4)Do i begin by making a copy of my front end to somthing like a half
> gig thumb drive?Convert the FE on my desktop to mde then drop and
> drag to each users folder on the network? Any future design changes
> would be done on a copy of the original , convert that into MDE and
> redestribute the changes to the users.Is this correct?

That's basically correct, however you should put the FE mde on each users
workstation, not a folder on the network. As for updating and distributing
the changes, you'll find this utility helpful in that regard. Look for
frontend updater at http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

Signature

Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP

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jk - 03 Oct 2004 05:55 GMT

Thanks Joan,

You always have great insight and always helpful.
One question though...the mention of ....Tools Startup settings and custom
menubars/toolbars for the frontend for somewhat protecting the FE.......I am
very interested in that if you have an example or where i could go to
discover what my options in that regard before i distribute to the
users......thanks again!

> > Hello,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> the changes, you'll find this utility helpful in that regard. Look for
> frontend updater at http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

Reply to this Message

Joan Wild - 03 Oct 2004 14:04 GMT

> Thanks Joan,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> i could go to discover what my options in that regard before i
> distribute to the users......thanks again!

Backup your database; you can easily lock yourself out playing around with
these features.

Create custom menus/toolbars for use throughout your application.
Create a startup form (a main menu form if you have one) that is opened on
startup.
Use the features in Tools, Startup to
set the startup form
set your default menu (the custom one you made)
disable all the checkboxes about allowing built in menus, toolbars,
changes etc.
hide the db window (ensure the custom menu you create does not
include the Windows, Unhide item
Click on the Advanced button and uncheck the allow special keys
(this will disable the F11 key, among others)

If you need to bypass these startup features, you can hold the shift key
down while you open the db. If you feel that your users may use this to
bypass your settings, you can disable the shift key bypass - there's an
example in help for doing this(look for AllowBypassKey) or at
http://www.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0011.htm
and
http://www.mvps.org/access/general/gen0040.htm

I would suggest that you check out Help on any of these features. If you
open the Tools, Startup dialog, you'll see a "what's this" button (beside
the close button). Click on this and then any item in the dialog and you'll
get help on it. There's always the main help menu as well.

Signature

Joan Wild
Microsoft Access MVP

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