No, the encryption setting won't make it any more secure from a password hack. Google for "Outlook password" and you'll see how easy it would be for someone to get into your file.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.turtleflock.com/olconfig/index.htm
and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers
http://www.outlookcode.com/jumpstart.aspx

"user257" wrote in message ...
Thanks for your reply. Would the high encryption setting be enough? Where
could I find more info about this? Thanks

"Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]" wrote:

Password protection for an Outlook data file is not very tight. Hacks abound on the Internet.

"user257" wrote in message ...
I'm thinking of storing things like bank account and credit card info in my
Outlook 2003 Contacts (running stand alone-not on an Exchange server). Is
this a good idea? Of course I'll password protect the data file, but should I
use the High Encryption setting? Thanks