Re: Data Encryption in PostgreSQL, and a Tutorial.

On Sun, 11 Apr 2004, Jerry McBride wrote:

> T. Relyea wrote:
>
> > Mike Cox wrote:
> >
> >> Has anyone created something like that for Postgresql? It would be
> >> really handy to encrypt credit card numbers and other information so
> >> it stays secure.
> >>
> >> If no one has created anything such as this, I am going to code up
> >> something quite soon, but if it already exists, there is no need for
> >> me to reinvent the wheel, so speak up! It is a law in places such as
> >> the EU that many types of data must be encrypted if the database is
> >> compromised.
> >>
> >> I will put up my solution in a few days if one does not exist. But
> >> before I do that, I want to give a quick tutorial on how to create a
> >> file that will create tables, views and other such essentials. Most
> >> people who use PostgreSQL just type in the commands in PostgreSQL, but
> >> that is not as easily portable or backed up as what I'm about to show
> >> you!
> >>
> >> 1. open vi with a file.
> >> 2. Comments can be made as long as you add to slashes before the
> >> line:
> >> --this is a comment.
> >> 3. Next just type in the SQL commands you want!
> >> 4. after you are done, save the file.
> >> 5. then just do this to create the database you made in the file:
> >> psql database_name < my_vi_file
> >> 6.That is it!
> >>
> >> Here is a very simple sample of a file:
> >>
> >> --This is a sample file. Use at your own risk. No Warranties
> >> --Written by Mike Cox, author of the *nix "hm" command.
> >>
> >> create table first(
> >> MYNUMBER INTEGER);
> >>
> >> create VIEW myview AS
> >> select * from first;
> >>
> >> --Ok this is the end. As you can see it is very simple and portable.
> >> --Try it out. Here's how: psql your_database < this_file
> >
> > MySQL has encryption and decryption functions built in, doesn't
> > Postgresql?
> >
> > Todd
>
> Obviously not... that's why we don't use it at work....

let's see:

su -
cd /usr/local/src/postgresql-7.4.2
cd contrib/pgcrypto
make
make install

Total time taken: <30 seconds.

If that's a make or break deal for you on a database I'd hate to go car
buying with you.