Extended password encryption

The extended password encryption feature enhances the existing symmetrical key password encryption provided by the drivers and data providers to support asymmetrical key encryption. It is supported for the following drivers and providers:

• ADO.NET Data Provider

• ODBC Driver

• OLE DB Data Provider

• jConnect for JDBC Driver

The symmetrical key encryption mechanism uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt the password and is therefore considered a weak encryption mechanism. An asymmetrical key encryption mechanism uses one key (called the public key) to encrypt the password and another key (called the private key) to decrypt the password. Because the private key is not shared across the network, the assymetrical key encryption is considered more secure.