How to add a connection string in DNN 8

DNN 8 appears to have an encrypted connection string to access its database:

<connectionStrings configProtectionProvider="RsaProtectedConfigurationProvider">
  <EncryptedData Type="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#Element" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#">
    <EncryptionMethod Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#tripledes-cbc" />
    <KeyInfo xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#">
      <EncryptedKey xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#">
        <EncryptionMethod Algorithm="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#rsa-1_5" />
        <KeyInfo xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#">
          <KeyName>Rsa Key</KeyName>
        </KeyInfo>
        <CipherData>
          <CipherValue>MINjgIFInXezSIMnkeV2AoPfb69wdpXKG89QUv2IHlPwwsEg5VZjWWOx+Cf/xXzFhrPQV3QINry5WYq/KCBnsfIHfQHJSzzVtqkXB/OX2/oDSHZc7lRVIExNdHCkmSmyRneZP5hJEN6qm6RTHncJbmPLk7zO2D7om5SyfJ48bzo=</CipherValue>
        </CipherData>
      </EncryptedKey>
    </KeyInfo>
    <CipherData>
      <CipherValue>JRI+aV/tS2D0Xf3bDV2MJIqj6m0csfxF3KzRse4ij/H77NZSlP8BfHlfYk6Iw1jtbE2T2BZc7wjDj7CqFbqqRRUQMQE41XlP9VQQU/uIxR6R7AafCgTiE/iUUlACEvweRPw2y8p+vGF4zpzUS67OGb3tZgA6kUrg0piJLSWJvXvsZ/MFUMZy6OFljKQGKVTnsd94CUKonf0NmpuuSYSVKsbuPxZzQ4H1wg+H4vFkbOUJSjv13J0ioRtFOpPdugtPW/FdDAS+Y4hGfGUrpqXT6604+JuJc53/yAVsXDvzHWQ=</CipherValue>
    </CipherData>
  </EncryptedData>
</connectionStrings>

I would like to add another connection string to a separate database that I need to access while developing custom modules. How do I add an unencrypted connection string or, how do I encrypt the additional connection string and add it to the web.config?

Solution

Solved it. You have to decrypt the connectionString section of the web.config then you can add additional connection strings. You can re-encrypt if you like after that (or leave it as is). To decrypt:

Install the .NET SDK on the web server

Call up an elevated command prompt

Enter: aspnet_regiis -pdf "connectionStrings" "path to folder containing web.config"

If all goes well, this will decrypt your connection string