[dba-Tech] Securing Excel File to avoid E-mail forwards

Tina Norris Fields tinanfields at torchlake.com
Mon Dec 19 07:23:04 CST 2005


Hi Erwin,

I agree with the comment that once you have forwarded a file to someone, 
you have no further control over it.  However, as far as protecting the 
Excel file from prying eyes, would it be sufficient to password protect 
it for opening?  Then, it is available only to your recipients who know 
the password (unless a recipient gives away the password, of course).  

The idea of building in some code that logs things like the date and 
name of user, all of which gets hidden in the Excel file itself is 
appealing.  That would allow backtracking if - and this is a big IF - 
you get hold of a copy of the Excel file after it has been forwarded to 
a recipient who was not supposed to get it.

What an interesting puzzle.  If it can be done, someone on this list 
will think up a way.

Best regards,
Tina

Erwin Craps - IT Helps wrote:

>Hi Group
> 
>On a daily basis I send 1 Excel files to about 120 recipients using
>E-mail.
>The file contains confidential information and is also popular
>information for press and other third parties, but may not be disclosed
>before the rightfull owner (all of the 120 recipents) decides to do/or
>not so for his or here data.
>I'm sure this E-mail gets forwarded to other parties that may not
>receive this information.
>Are there any means today to avoid forwarding this Excel file or atleast
>to track back who has forwarded it?
> 
>I would like to hear suggestions from "cheap to expensive", from "helps
>a bit to helps a lot".
> 
>Some additional remarks:
>-I would like to avoid sending 120 slightly different Excel files
>instead of "1 for all".
>-Excel file is obligatory.
>-Normal Excel file operation for the recipient, changing, adding,
>deleting content etc.
>-Avoiding 24x7 server availibility at my office for on-line verification
>or logging or whatever.
>-I do have an 24x7 internet server, but do not guaranty 24x7
>availibility or even sufficientbandwith.
>-The recipients mainly use Outlook, some OE and some are Mac's.
> 
> 
>Thx
>
> 
>
>Erwin Craps
>
> 
>
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