Using File-System Access Control to Protect Access to Documents

This content is no longer actively maintained. It is provided as is, for anyone who may still be using these technologies, with no warranties or claims of accuracy with regard to the most recent product version or service release.

Using open or modify passwords to provide access security for Word and Excel documents has certain drawbacks. For example, users can set and then forget passwords, and thus permanently lose access to their documents.

For this reason, many solution providers prefer to work with a network system administrator to provide access security by locating sensitive files on a network server and then using network or operating system file-system security features, such as logon authentication and file permissions, to set and override access permissions for individuals and groups. For example, you could place a Word template in a read-only folder so that users can run macros in the template, but not modify them.

While file servers are currently the most common way to provide controlled access to files, many Web servers and Web-site management applications also allow administrators and users to control read, write, and modify access to their files. For example, Microsoft Internet Information Services and FrontPage provide support for controlling access to files. For more information, see your Web server or Web-site management software documentation.