When you provide local security for a database that you have Manager access to, Notes encrypts the database using your public key from your User ID. You are the only one who can then decrypt the database because you have the corresponding private key in your User ID. Nobody else's User ID can open the database.

To encrypt new local databases as they are created

You can set Notes to automatically encrypt new local databases when you create them.

1. Choose File - Security - User Security.
Macintosh OS X users: Notes - Security - User Security.

2. Click Notes Data - Databases.

3. Select "Locally encrypt using..." and then one of the following options:

• Simple encryption provides protection against casual snooping.
• Medium encryption provides the right balance among security, strength, and fast database access. This level is probably the right choice for most users.
• Choose strong encryption when security requirements are paramount and the resulting database access performance is acceptable.

To encrypt existing local databases

1. Open the local database.

2. Choose File - Databases - Properties.

3. Click the "Database Basics" tab, and then click the "Encryption Settings" button.

4. Select "Locally encrypt this database using" and then one of the following options:

• Simple encryption provides protection against casual snooping.
• Medium encryption provides the right balance among security, strength, and fast database access. This level is probably the right choice for most users.
• Choose strong encryption when security requirements are paramount and the resulting database access performance is acceptable.

Caution If you choose a different user to have access to the database, you will lose your access to the database.

See Also

The Access Control List
Encrypting documents using secret keys
Creating replicas
Advanced settings in the access control list