Security in general

[Noel]

Hi. I've not done any work on securing my dbs (Access
2003) and I've read enough on this newsgroup to know that
its not without its frustrations. Is there another
simpler way? I currently have just one general password
which all users use. None of them are experts, so I
thought I could just use some simple way to stop them
going into Design View. They wouldn't want to do any
design work themselves and anyway, they wouldn't know how
to take this off, so this would be secure enough until I
learn enough about proper security. Can this be done? How
about modifying the Toolbar available to them on startup?
Thanks, Noel

 

[Joan Wild]

Hi. I've not done any work on securing my dbs (Access
2003) and I've read enough on this newsgroup to know that
its not without its frustrations. Is there another
simpler way? I currently have just one general password
which all users use. None of them are experts, so I
thought I could just use some simple way to stop them
going into Design View. They wouldn't want to do any
design work themselves and anyway, they wouldn't know how
to take this off, so this would be secure enough until I
learn enough about proper security. Can this be done? How
about modifying the Toolbar available to them on startup?
Thanks, Noel

If you're just looking to keep the idle curious out, there are a number of
things you can do:

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 (it doesn't sound likely though), 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

You can also create a MDE from your database, which will prevent changes to
forms, reports and modules (If you do this, be certain to keep your original
mdb in case you need to make changes).

None of this will keep the determined out. All they need to do is start a
new db and link to your's, but this may suffice for your purposes.

 

[joe]

Hello
I am new to Access(First level) and your response seems to be the answer for me.I am currently in process to create a database where close to twenty three users will be using it.My experience with this group has shown me that curiosty will damage a good design.I just quickly tried your start up forms idea and it worked great.Any other ideas such as hiding the design so others will not copy my ideas in design???

 

[joe]

Can design view be hidden to prevent users from changing design?

 

[Noel]

Thanks for this Joan. Seems exactly what I want. Just a
bit of clarification please. I already have a form which
opens on startup - its a Tab Control Form. When you
say 'create a startup form' do you mean in addition to
the one I already have? Also Im not sure what you mean
by 'hide the db window'. In essence, do your instructions
enable me to set up a specific Toolbar that appears when
the Tab form opens? Thanks again Joan. Cheers, Noel

 

[Joan Wild]

Thanks for this Joan. Seems exactly what I want. Just a
bit of clarification please. I already have a form which
opens on startup - its a Tab Control Form. When you
say 'create a startup form' do you mean in addition to
the one I already have?

No, that one will do. Set it to open on startup in Tools, Startup.

Also Im not sure what you mean
by 'hide the db window'.

This is another setting in Tools, Startup. When your mdb opens the db
window won't show and your form will open.

In essence, do your instructions
enable me to set up a specific Toolbar that appears when
the Tab form opens? Thanks again Joan. Cheers, Noel

You can create a custom menubar for your application. Go into toolbars,
customize and create a new menubar with the command you want available. You
can also set in Tools, Startup that this menubar be used. Also look at the
other settings with regard to built-in menus. You can look these up in help
for more information.

You can also create a custom toolbar and set this as the toolbar for your
form - on the other tab in design view.

 

[Joan Wild]

Can design view be hidden to prevent users from changing design?

You can hide the database window, create custom menus so users can't unhide
it. Also making into a MDE will prevent design changes to forms, reports,
and modules.

They'll still have access to the tables/queries. The techniques I outlined
in my first response will just keep the idle curious out.

 

[Noel]

Excellent Joan, I understand now. Thank you very much.
Cheers, Noel