SQL Server Compact (SQL CE) supports password protecting the database file.
1) Password is a must to encrypt SQL CE database
2) When you create a SQL CE database with a password, it automatically gets encrypted
Now there have been many questions around on about the strength of the security. The strength of the database file security lies in the encryption and authentication algorithms used to protect it. Please keep your question of why authentication algorithm is required and why not just encryption algorithm sufficient enough in your mind only and I hope you agree with me on the fact that some details better be not open for the sake of better securityJ.
Now coming to what exactly are the algorithms used in what version is outlined in a table below:
Version
Encryption Mode
Encryption Algorithm
Authentication Algorithm
Provider
3.0
Not Applicable
RC4
MD5
PROV_RSA_FULL MS_ENHANCED_PROV
3.1
3.5
PPC2003 Compatibility
3DES
SHA1
Engine Default
AES128
PROV_RSA_AES MS_ENH_RSA_AES_PROV
Platform Default
If possible use Engine Default else fall back to PPC2003 Compatibility.
4.0
What do you want?
Tell my team