C# – Cannot provide password in Connection String for SQLite

centity-frameworkentity-framework-coresqlite

I use SQLite with Entity Framework.

I create the DB with following code:

class MyContext : DbContext
{   
    // DbSets, OnModelCreating(), etc.

    protected override void OnConfiguring(DbContextOptionsBuilder optionsBuilder)
    {
        optionsBuilder.UseSqlite("Data Source=c:\\test.db");
    }
}

//this is in my test method
 using (var db = new MyContext())
{
    db.Database.EnsureCreated();
}

The above code works. The DB gets created.
But I want to encrypt the DB by providing password in connection string:

optionsBuilder.UseSqlite("Data Source=c:\\test.db;Password=mypassword");

In this case, after EnsureCreated is called, I get exception

An unhandled exception of type 'System.ArgumentException' occurred in System.Data.dll
Additional information: Keyword not supported: 'password'.

What is wrong with using password? How can I encrypt that SQLite database?

Best Answer

The "pure", open source sqlite3.dll does not support encryption. There are other implementations, including licenced and unlicensed. For my solution I have used rindeal/SQLite3-Encryption project from GitHub

My solution:

  1. Download compiled binaries
  2. Copy sqlite3.dll to BIN folder
    • add the DLL to project in Visual Studio
    • set Copy to Output Directory - Copy always

  3. Use this code in context's constructor:

    string password;
var connection = Database.GetDbConnection();
connection.Open();
using (var command = connection.CreateCommand())
{
    command.CommandText = $"PRAGMA key='{password}';";
    command.ExecuteNonQuery();
}
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