Encrypting syntax files
You can protect your syntax files by encrypting
them with a password. Encrypted files can be opened only by providing
the password.
Note: Encrypted syntax files cannot be used in production
jobs or with the IBM® SPSS® Statistics Batch
Facility (available with IBM SPSS Statistics Server).
To save the contents of the syntax editor as an encrypted syntax file:
- Make the Syntax Editor the active window (click anywhere in the window to make it active).
- From the menus, choose:
- Select Encrypted Syntax from the Save as type drop-down list.
- Click Save.
- In the Encrypt File dialog box, provide a password and reenter it in the Confirm password text box. Passwords are limited to 10 characters and are case-sensitive.
Warning: Passwords cannot be recovered if they are lost. If the password is lost the file cannot be opened.
Creating strong passwords
- Use eight or more characters.
- Include numbers, symbols and even punctuation in your password.
- Avoid sequences
of numbers or characters, such as
"123"
and"abc"
, and avoid repetition, such as"111aaa"
. - Do not create passwords that use personal information such as birthdays or nicknames.
- Periodically change the password.
Note: Storing encrypted files to an IBM SPSS Collaboration and Deployment Services Repository is not supported.
Modifying encrypted files
- If you open an encrypted file, modify the file and choose File > Save, the modified file is saved with the same password.
- You can change the password on an encrypted file by opening the file, repeating the steps for encrypting it, and specifying a different password in the Encrypt File dialog box.
- You can save an unencrypted version of an encrypted file by opening the file, choosing File > Save As and selecting Syntax from the Save as type drop-down list.
Note: Encrypted syntax files cannot be opened in versions of IBM SPSS Statistics prior
to version 22.