Why do I see other users' databases in SSMS?

When you connect to our shared MS SQL Server using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and expand the "Databases" folder, you will see a list of all databases hosted on that specific server node, including those belonging to other customers.

Is this a security risk?

No, your data is secure.

While you can see the names of other databases, you do not have permission to access them. The security architecture is configured such that:

• You cannot open tables, views, or stored procedures in other databases.
• You cannot read or write data to them.
• You cannot see the schema or configuration of other databases.

If you attempt to click on a database that is not yours, you will immediately receive a "Permission Denied" error.

Why does this happen?

This is a known architectural behavior of Microsoft SQL Server in a shared hosting environment. The VIEW ANY DATABASE permission is often required for the server to function correctly with certain management tools and legacy applications. Consequently, the list of database names remains visible to authenticated users.

How to hide the list (Usability Fix)

Seeing thousands of unrelated databases can make it difficult to find your own. To fix this clutter and speed up your connection, you can configure SSMS to load only your specific database:

1. In the SSMS "Connect to Server" dialog, click Options >>.
2. Go to the Connection Properties tab.
3. In the "Connect to database" field, type your specific Database Name.
4. Click Connect.

By connecting directly to your database context, the object explorer will focus on your data, effectively hiding the long list of other users' databases.