KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q143264: PRB: RDC/ODBC Password Display Inconsistencies

Article: Q143264
Product(s): Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:2.5,4.0,6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbODBC kbRDO kbVBp kbVBp400 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVBDB kbDSupport
Last Modified: 11-JAN-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Visual Basic Learning Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows, version 6.0 
- Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition, 32-bit, for Windows, version 4.0 
- Microsoft Data Access Components version 2.5 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When setting the password property of the RemoteData Control (RDC) at design
time in the Property Window, asterisks are not substituted for the password
characters. When the ODBC dialog box is displayed, the password is converted
into asterisks.

CAUSE
=====

The RDC does not control the edit field in the Property Window, and therefore
cannot force asterisks to be displayed. An OLE custom control does not have
direct control over the Property window supplied by the Visual Basic design
environment. The Remote Data control does correctly use asterisks in its own
Property page.

RESOLUTION
==========

If you want to protect password information, use the property sheet provided by
the Remote Data control itself. To access this property sheet either right mouse
click on the control itself and choose the properties menu item or click on the
(Custom) property button in the Visual Basic Property window. When you type the
password, asterisks will be substituted for the characters. When this is
completed, the password is not displayed in the Visual Basic property window, so
security is not compromised.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
---------------------------

1. Start a new project in Visual Basic. Form1 is created by default.

2. Add a RemoteData Control on Form1.

3. Type a value into the password property of the RemoteData Control. Note that
  the password is readable.

4. Now delete the entry you made for the password property and go to the
  Property window supplied by the control itself. When you type in the
  password, property asterisks will be displayed instead of the characters you
  type.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbODBC kbRDO kbVBp kbVBp400 kbVBp600 kbGrpDSVBDB kbDSupport 
Technology        : kbVBSearch kbAudDeveloper kbZNotKeyword6 kbZNotKeyword2 kbVB600Search kbVBA600 kbVB600 kbMDACSearch kbVB400Search kbVB400 kbMDAC250
Version           : WINDOWS:2.5,4.0,6.0
Issue type        : kbprb

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.