Using Windows Server AD RMS to protect VBA code

[Richard Wein]

Hi. I have a client who wants to prevent employees from stealing valuable VBA code. Since the standard password-protection for VBA projects is not secure, I'm looking at other options.

I've just been reading about products like Unviewable+ and Secure++. But I'm wondering if there's a better method that could take advantage of the fact that the client's system uses Windows Server. Windows Server has Rights Management Services, which allows Office files to be protected against editing and copying.

My questions, to anyone with experience of using VBA with AD RMS:

1. Is there any RMS protection level that allows a user to run VBA code in a file (such as an Excel add-in) but not to view the code?

2. Would the standard VBA password-protection be secure if unauthorised users were unable to modify or copy the file? In other words, can VBA password-protection be broken (and the code read) without modifying the file?

3. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Richard.