Macro security levels

Microsoft Office Access 2003

check box; use digital signatures; maintain a list of trusted publishers.

ShowVery High

This setting is not available in the Security dialog box in Microsoft Office Access 2003. It is possible, however, to use system policies to set the security level in Access to Very High. When the security level is set to Very High, Access cannot open any Access database or Access project files

ShowHigh

Unsigned macros

Macros are automatically disabled, and the file is not opened.

Signed macros

The source of the macro and the status of the signature determine how signed macros are handled.

ShowA trusted source. Signature is valid.

Macros are automatically enabled, and the file is opened.

ShowAn unknown author. Signature is valid.

A dialog box is displayed with information about the certificate. The file can be opened only if the user chooses to trust the author and certification authority. A network administrator can lock the list of trusted sources and prevent the user from adding the developer to the list and opening the file.

ShowAny author. Signature is invalid, possibly because of a virus.

User is warned of a possible virus, and the file is not opened.

ShowAny author. Signature validation is not possible because public key is missing or incompatible encryption methods were used.

User is warned that signature validation is not possible, and the file is not opened.

ShowAny author. The signature was made after the certificate had expired or had been revoked.

User is warned that the signature has expired or been revoked, and the file is not opened.

ShowMedium

Unsigned macros

User is prompted to open the database or cancel the operation. If the user chooses to cancel the operation, the database is not opened.

Signed macros

The source of the macro and the status of the signature determine how signed macros are handled.

ShowA trusted source. Signature is valid.

Macros are automatically enabled, and the file is opened.

ShowAn unknown author. Signature is valid.

A dialog box is displayed with information about the certificate. The user is prompted to open the file or cancel the operation. The user can choose to trust the developer and certification authority. If the user chooses to cancel the operation, then the file is not opened.

ShowAny author. Signature is invalid, possibly because of a virus.

User is warned of a possible virus, and the file is not opened.

ShowAny author. Signature validation is not possible because public key is missing or incompatible encryption methods were used.

User is warned that signature validation is not possible. User is prompted to open the file or cancel the operation. If the user chooses to cancel the operation, then the file is not opened.

ShowAny author. The signature was made after the certificate had expired or had been revoked, and then the file is not opened.

User is warned that the signature has expired or been revoked. User is prompted to open the file or cancel the operation. If the user chooses to cancel the operation, then the file is not opened.

ShowLow

When security it set to low, all macros are treated equally regardless of origin or certificate status. With low security, you receive no prompt or signature validation and macros are automatically enabled. Use this setting only if you are certain that all macros in your files are from trusted sources.