Where to store database credentials in a web app?

Question

I\'m wondering what techniques you use to store the database credentials for your application. I\'m specifically concerned with java webapps, but I don\'t think there\'s any ne

Answer 1

Since you're leaving the question open to platform, I'll add that database credentials for .NET apps are stored in the web.config file. From version 2.0 and above, there is a specific ConnectionStrings section that allows for easier programmatic access to the connection string.

In addition to having IIS automatically block direct requests to the web.config file by default, you can also use an IIS command to encrypt the ConnectionString section of the web.config file. This encryption is machine specific, adding to its strengths, and the .NET runtime will also decrypt the connection string on the fly when you access it, so there is no need for additional coding in your application to work with it.