Can a database be copy-protected?

[Dan]

Is there a way to keep a database from being copied? I
want to allow users full access to add or modify records
in the database, but don't want to allow anyone to copy
the database. If this is possible, please let me know.

Thanks for your help.


-Dan.

 

[John Nurick]

Hi Dan,

A basic Access database is just an mdb file and can be copied like any
other file.

By implementing Access user-level security you can make it quite
difficult to get at the data without knowing a username and password -
but it's still possible to make copies of the database and security
files.

Beyond this I think you're getting into complex copy-protection schemes,
most of which are difficult and/or expensive to implement in ways that
(a) work and (b) don't alienate all your customers.

Is there a way to keep a database from being copied? I
want to allow users full access to add or modify records
in the database, but don't want to allow anyone to copy
the database. If this is possible, please let me know.

Thanks for your help.


-Dan.

John Nurick [Microsoft Access MVP]

Please respond in the newgroup and not by email.