You can create a read-only database user to allow a third party to browse the data in a database, to use for your reporting tools, or to ensure that your scripts are not writing to the database.
Note: You cannot add a read-only database user to an already-created database. This feature is only for new databases.
Note: If you don't see the Allow Direct Database Access option, contact customer support. If you are not sure what Direct Database Access is, see Connect remotely to databases
To browse the data on the database, a read-only user has to connect using third-party tools such as MySQL Query Browser or Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express.
For more information on connecting remotely with tools such as these, see Connect remotely to databases.