The Guest User in SQL Server

Did you know SQL Server has a Guest User account? Is is enabled or disabled by default? Is it a good idea to use it? SQL Security czar Brian Kelley shows you what you need to know.

Brian is a SQL Server author, columnist, and MVP focusing primarily on SQL Server security. He currently serves as database administrator / architect at AgFirst Farm Credit Bank where he can focus on his passion: SQL Server. He formerly served as a systems and security architect for AgFirst Farm Credit Bank where he worked on Active Directory, Windows security, VMware, and Citrix. In the technical...

C Arnold on 12/24/2008

This isn't something I've thought much about, but it's good info to have. Good demos - clear and concise.

Jack Corbett on 12/24/2008

I could see using the guest user in a shared user database where you may have a numbers table and a dates table, but beyond that I don't see a lot of use for it in a user database. Nice explanation

Steve Manning on 12/24/2008

If we should always be using a standard account for a user database, what is the scenario where this guest account would/should be used? For some type of external/DMZ facing application, in order to limit danger from a SQL user potentially getting exposed?

khanlala on 12/24/2008

Very informative and nice video presentation. If the speaker can speak little slow would be very helpful.

K on 12/24/2008

I don't allow guest account access to user db but found it interesting that you had to use the create statement to enable it useful as it may come up in an interview either given by or taken by me. Food for thought though.. Thank you and happy holidays and wishing you and yours a truly excellent new year

borjonx on 12/24/2008

Good speaker, clean & easy to understand voice.

Francis on 12/24/2008

Go demo! keep up the good work.

Marty on 12/26/2008

was good from an admin standpoint, but I'm more interested in the development/performance aspects of SQL Server

9BC3FEBE62 on 12/31/2008

Illuminating

Arsal on 12/31/2008

Clear and concise. Good examples for the purpose of demonstration.

Pete Williams on 1/5/2009

Always something good for people to remember.

Dennis Allen on 1/7/2009

I would like to see more about security strategies as well as identifying the user that is executing the current command.

James Opava on 1/28/2009

answered some basic questions I had about guest account.

Alan on 6/25/2009

Very good over on the account

Cory Webb on 7/17/2009

Came here from a Google search, answered all my questions I had about the guest account

Paul Hansen on 11/18/2009

Would be great if we could use a guest user in SSRS. One reason is that MOSS allows an anonymous user but anonymous users would never be able to see general dashboards if required. Maybe I'm wrong.... I hope so!

Jason Ha on 2/22/2010

This site and video are great help. Thank you!!!!

Reagile on 3/4/2010

The video was on point, easy to understand

Leighton Louie on 5/20/2010

Very informative. The 1st of many videos I'm gonna watch on this site. ^^

Ravi Raj on 6/29/2010

good one