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The 'backup' link to my database in the back end doesn't work

Item: #347
Date: 20 Dec 2002
Applies to
v4
v5

Question

The link to backup my database doesn't appear to link to my database file. I have placed the database in a secure/private/ folder 'behind' the root. Can I change the path to the database somewhere so the backup link works?

Answer

Originally few web hosts supplied secure data folders off the web root. We therefore advised the best method of securing an Access database was to rename the database folder to an unguessable random name, thereby minimizing the chances of someone finding it.

However, placing the database in a secure data folder as you have done is a far better option. In this case, the backup link will not work, since the point of the data folder is to prevent anyone being able to download the Access file through HTTP (i.e. a web browser). The only way to back up such a file is via FTP. The reduced convenience for backing up is definitely worth it for the added security.

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