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Microsoft launched the new security initiative in early 2002, called Trustworthy Computing, to focus on making all its products safer to use. Because an Access 2007 database can contain code or macros that can damage your computer, Microsoft includes a security model in the program. In Access 2003, users were presented with a confusing set of dialog boxes when they opened a database. In Access 2007, the security model has been changed, so it's far less confusing to users.

As you have been working in the database thus far in the lessons, you no doubt notice the security warning message just below the ribbon. This is called the Message Bar. This message notifies you that Access has disabled certain features of the application because the files not digitally signed or is located in a folder that is not been designated as trusted. Later in this lesson, I will walk you through the process of creating a trusted folder location.

In order to ensure that any restricted code and macros function in this database, you must instruct Access to temporarily enable this content. If you don't, it's quite possible that areas of your database will not function properly. To temporarily enable the content in a database, click the Options button on the Message Bar. This opens the Microsoft Office Security Options dialog box. As you can see on your screen, this dialog box warns you that this file's content cannot be verified as a trustworthy source. You can choose to have Access 2007 continue to block any harmful content by leaving the default options set to Help protect me from unknown content.

Microsoft actually recommends this option. By having Access continue to block any harmful content, you can be sure that no harmful code or macros can execute from this database. In order to have Access discontinue blocking potentially harmful content, you must select the option, Enable this content. So click this now, and then click the OK button. Access closes the database and then reopens it to enable all content. You will notice now, behind the form, you don't see the Message bar. All code and Macros will now run in this specific database.

However, I did previously mention the word, temporary. Access will only allow the content in this database for just that current session. If you close this database -- so I am going to click close on this form, click the Microsoft Office button, click Close, click the Microsoft Office button again, click Open and reopen this file, you will notice the security warning message reappears. So if you want to, you temporarily enable the content, you have to click the Options button.

Microsoft launched the new security initiative in early 2002, called Trustworthy Computing, to focus on making all its products safer to use. Because an Access 2007 database can contain code or macros that can damage your computer, Microsoft includes a security model in the program. In Access 2003, users were... click to read more