Hello,
I am looking for a password protection method in .net for connecting SQL server.
I have a requirement is to secure passwords from developers.
I know most of people will suggest me to use config file store password and some people say use windows authentication.

But my requirement is quite different, I don’t want to reveal password to developers. If I use it in config file the password will be known to developers. How to deny access to config file for developers and give to access to visual studio to that config file?

If I use Windows authentication there is risk of connecting directly to the database server by installing management studio or some other third party tools. Is there any way that will make windows authentication will work only if access from code?
Please help me.