what is the method to hide ms access database from users while data entry is made thru front end screen in VB?

Question

I have designed data entry sheet in VB 6 as frot end while database in MS ACCESS as backend.At this stage my database is open to everybody, i wnat to hide/lock it to unautorised users while keeping data entry open to operators.In other words no body can able to copy,delete,update my database table.

Answer 1

Easy:

Goto TOOLS>>STARTUP

Then click-off "Display Database Window" and Select your entry form from the "Display Form/Page" Drop list

Also, Click off the "Use Access Special Keys" (so they can't hit F11 and view the DB window.



To by-pass these settings, hold down the SHIFT key.



You could also (just in case someone knows how to by-pass it) Right click the table, Select PROPERTIES, and CLICK-ON "Hidden".



An added "safety" would be to make the Table(s) links to another DB tucked away where only YOU know. (Then No-one can modify the Table structure from the front-end db EVEN if they By-Pass and UNHIDE).



Lastly, make the Front-end into a REPLICA MASTER

TOOLS>>REPLICATION

Then distribute Replicas to people to keep on thier Desktop. Replicas CANNOT be modified in Design view. Just make sure You have LInked the tables to a network DB, so everyone adds data to the same Tables.

Answer 2

Unfortunatly it is very difficult to secure an access db... because there are several freeware tools out there that can tell the user the password of the access db even if its protected.



The simplst way to secure the db from outside editing is a simple trick I learned while doing the same type of project... Change the first couple of bytes of the database file so that when the app is closed, if opening the db is attempted the user will get an error saying "Database format is not recognized", but when you open the db in the program, have it change the first couple bytes back to the original, open the db, update, change or whatever, then after you close the db, change the first couple bytes so they are wrong again.

Answer 3

In your recordset, change the locktype property. This stops other people making changes to it while the program is using it. I'm afraid I don't know which lockytype to use, try going to a visual basic forum for this, try:

http://www.vbforums.com

and ask there.