title: How safe are SQL Server 2005 MDF files? (re: security)
body: <p>We've started using SQL Server 2005 Express for a project and I noticed that every database has it's own MDF/LDF files.  Whenever we need to duplicate our database (to another SQL Server) we simply copy these files and then attach them to the database.</p>
  
  <p>However, this has me wondering about the security of these files.  If somebody from the outside gets a copy of them are they encrypted or can they simply attach to them like I'm doing?  I'm not prompted for any passwords when I copy/attach them myself so I'm a bit nervous.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks,
  John</p>