Preventing users opening backend

[Mary Ann]

I am in the process of creating a simple split flat database using the
Splitter Wizard. I shall locate the back end in a shared folder on the
network and ensure the six users each have a copy of the front end database
in their respective folders. Each user types data into their own table (I
know this is not best practice but that is what was decided!)

I understand the backend has to be stored in a shared folder which all the
users have permission to use. Given this requirement, how can I ensure that
the users cannot open the backend database? I have heard a bit about
passwords etc and that they can cause problems.

I am using 2003.

I am a sophisticated user of Access but not a programmer.

 

[Joan Wild]

If you do not want to implement Access security, you can
- create an Autoexec macro in the backend with two actions
first - Msgbox with a message telling them to open via the frontend (or
something)
second - Quit - which will close the database

Your users may know about the shiftkey bypass, which would bypass this
autoexec macro. If that's the case you can disable the shiftkey bypass. Of
course, your users may know how to re-enable it.

You can also put the backend file in a hidden share \\server\share$ rather
than \\server\share. That'll hide it in Windows Explorer, so they're not
likely to find it. They would have to know the actual path to locate it.

These measures may be sufficient for your situation.

 

[Mary Ann]

Thank you.

If you do not want to implement Access security, you can
- create an Autoexec macro in the backend with two actions
first - Msgbox with a message telling them to open via the frontend (or
something)
second - Quit - which will close the database

Your users may know about the shiftkey bypass, which would bypass this
autoexec macro. If that's the case you can disable the shiftkey bypass. Of
course, your users may know how to re-enable it.

You can also put the backend file in a hidden share \\server\share$ rather
than \\server\share. That'll hide it in Windows Explorer, so they're not
likely to find it. They would have to know the actual path to locate it.

These measures may be sufficient for your situation.