Macro code - Strong Protection
- Thread starter Dhamo
- Start date
i'm afraid there's no "ultimate" security out there for XL. The best you can do is try to make things difficult enough that someone doesn't want to spend the time/effort to break the security. There's various "tricks" you can do beyond adding the VB password, such as saving the code in a shared workbook and then turning it into an add-in (shared workbooks can't access code, so this will foil a basic VB password hack). Of course, someone who realizes this could change it back from an add-in and unshare. Another option is to do a VB scramble, which tries to make your code unreadable/un-followable.
http://www.excelhelpdesk.com/protection/protect-vba/
I haven't used any VB scramble products, so I can't endorse/guide on any of them. My rule of thumb though is, if someone has access to your file, assume that they can read anything in it.
http://www.excelhelpdesk.com/protection/protect-vba/
I haven't used any VB scramble products, so I can't endorse/guide on any of them. My rule of thumb though is, if someone has access to your file, assume that they can read anything in it.
I'm afraid bobhc is correct. While you could extract the code to a text/word file and encrypt it via 256 bit encryption and send that via email to someone (say you need to send proprietary code but don't want it intercepted), it is currently believed that 256 bit is strong enough to prevent anyone from brute force cracking it within 100 years, the code is not functional while it is encrypted. This method would only be useful for transferring the code to someone else who would then decrypt it and install.
SirJB7
Excel Rōnin
Hi, Dhamo!
Maybe you want to give a look at this link and it dependent sublinks:
http://chandoo.org/forums/topic/macro-to-hideunhide-in-protected-sheet-produces-error-code#post-37901
And if looking for deliberately obfuscated coding examples, I think this should be one of the smartest and nicest ones:
http://chandoo.org/forums/topic/how-to-write-a-macro-to-print-data-pertaining-to-a-list-box#post-23051
Regards!
Maybe you want to give a look at this link and it dependent sublinks:
http://chandoo.org/forums/topic/macro-to-hideunhide-in-protected-sheet-produces-error-code#post-37901
And if looking for deliberately obfuscated coding examples, I think this should be one of the smartest and nicest ones:
http://chandoo.org/forums/topic/how-to-write-a-macro-to-print-data-pertaining-to-a-list-box#post-23051
Regards!
spreadsheet1
New Member
Dhamo,
The simple - but ineffective - solution:
Lock your VBA project using a password. Your VBA code will still run, but can only be viewed by a user who knows the correct password. Unfortunately, there are plenty of fairly inexpensive software tools that could recover a lost or forgotten VBE password, no matter its length or complexity, within seconds.
In addition, Excel VBA code can be read directly (without using Excel) by many spreadsheet applications. For example, please note that 'LibreOffice Calc' doesn't seem to honor any VBE password protection in Excel files.
The advanced solution: S1-CrunchCode
There is a solution called VBA obfuscation. Obfuscation is a set of techniques that hide the intent of your Excel VBA program without changing its runtime behavior e.g. obfuscated VBA code will run in both 32/64 bit Office 2010/2013 versions, if your original code was designed to do so.
When obfuscation is properly applied, it can increase the protection against hackers by orders of magnitude, while leaving your Excel application intact. Obfuscation is commonly used in .Net and Java environments for years and has been helping companies protect their intellectual property.
For more info:
http://www.spreadsheet1.com/s1-crunchcode.html
The simple - but ineffective - solution:
Lock your VBA project using a password. Your VBA code will still run, but can only be viewed by a user who knows the correct password. Unfortunately, there are plenty of fairly inexpensive software tools that could recover a lost or forgotten VBE password, no matter its length or complexity, within seconds.
In addition, Excel VBA code can be read directly (without using Excel) by many spreadsheet applications. For example, please note that 'LibreOffice Calc' doesn't seem to honor any VBE password protection in Excel files.
The advanced solution: S1-CrunchCode
There is a solution called VBA obfuscation. Obfuscation is a set of techniques that hide the intent of your Excel VBA program without changing its runtime behavior e.g. obfuscated VBA code will run in both 32/64 bit Office 2010/2013 versions, if your original code was designed to do so.
When obfuscation is properly applied, it can increase the protection against hackers by orders of magnitude, while leaving your Excel application intact. Obfuscation is commonly used in .Net and Java environments for years and has been helping companies protect their intellectual property.
For more info:
http://www.spreadsheet1.com/s1-crunchcode.html
SirJB7
Excel Rōnin
@spreadsheet1
Hi!
This is the same information you posted many times 6 months ago, it's beginning to sound like spam or undercover publicity. Please stop doing so or your posts will be edited or deleted. We, the community, yet know the amazing feature of the product you're advertising.
Regards!
PS: BTW, you're writing on a 3 months old post. I don't think the OP would come back soon -if ever- to read your article.
Hi!
This is the same information you posted many times 6 months ago, it's beginning to sound like spam or undercover publicity. Please stop doing so or your posts will be edited or deleted. We, the community, yet know the amazing feature of the product you're advertising.
Regards!
PS: BTW, you're writing on a 3 months old post. I don't think the OP would come back soon -if ever- to read your article.