views:

377

answers:

2

If you specify "Engine Default" when encrypting a SQL CE database, what specific type of encryption does it use? (Let's assume version 3.5)

A: 

If it is the same as SQL Server - and I imagine it is - then it will be Triple DES

Mark Brittingham
Is there a reason to assume that it is?
brian
Well, just the assumption that they would re-use code already put in place for the main SQL Server engine. But again, I do not know this for sure.
Mark Brittingham
That's a really poor assumption, especially since the two products share zero code and are done by completely different teams.
ctacke
There's no need to be rude, ctacke. I think my answer is pretty clear that I am just passing along the encryption used in SQL Server. Would you care to provide some reference regarding your assertion that they share "zero" code? This seems like a far more controversial claim than anything that I've said.
Mark Brittingham
+2  A: 

Engine Default is AES128 (it's not compatible with Windows Mobile 2003 or Windows CE 4.2)

Shane O'Grady
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_CompactAES128-bit +1
SomeMiscGuy
Wikipedia says 128 bit but not what scheme. Shane, do you have a reference for your answer?
brian
brian: No definitive reference, but these may help.http://www.pluralsight.com/community/blogs/jimw/archive/2007/07/31/48117.aspxhttp://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-US/sqlce/thread/0120994f-807b-40d1-9e65-d1f21224980e/Also, since DBs encrypted with "Engine Default" cannot be opened on Windows Mobile 2003 (which cannot handle AES) I am pretty certain that is what it uses.
Shane O'Grady