I use Dropbox to store confidential client info. When my computer is out for repair there is no way for me to lock the tech out of Dropbox. I’ve been complaining about this for years. I want to be able to put a password on it.
You can sign out of the Dropbox desktop application by following these steps.
Hi @heyjude-2244, are you referring to putting a password on the Dropbox folder itself, or on the Dropbox desktop application?
I'm talking about password protecting Dropbox on my laptop
Thanks for the info. While there isn't a direct method to add a password to the Dropbox desktop application itself, you could disable the app from startup, or sign our of Dropbox, or uninstall the app entirely.
Since your local files in the Dropbox folder would be visible, you'd also need to consider deleting the local files as well, although this could result in the files being deleted from Dropbox depending upon which step you took above.
That was overwhelming. Safest one was sign out of dropbox if I have to have my computer repaired. HOW do I sign out of dropbox please? thanks.
@heyjude-2244 wrote: Safest one was sign out of dropbox if I have to have my computer repaired.
Safest one was sign out of dropbox if I have to have my computer repaired.
Remember that signing out of Dropbox does NOT prevent access to the files you have stored in the local Dropbox folder on your hard drive. The Dropbox folder is just a regular folder like any other. It doesn't behave differently from any other folder and cannot be password protected.
If you're sending your computer in for repair it's very wise to sign out of the Dropbox application so they can't access your account, but you should also look into protecting the files in your local folder; either by removing them from the computer or finding some other way to secure the folder.
I think it would be a great feature to enable access to the dropbox folder through a password protection option. That way the files could be protected from view if another person has access to my account.
Say another person uses my computer when I am away on vacation. It would make sense in this case to temporarily lock it from view.
I am aware that you can remove folder from syncing. Although it can still be toggled on and off by anyone who has access to my computer.
Not protected enough.
Hi @Patrick Demers, thanks for messaging the Community!
Unfortunately, it's not possible to password protect Dropbox, or any of the folders inside. This is because Dropbox is not a network drive and the Dropbox software has no control over access to the folder. The Dropbox folder is just a normal folder and is no more or less secure than every other folder on your computer.
We recommend that you follow good security practices to protect your entire computer. It's a good idea to require a password to log in to your account, and to resume from sleep, screen savers and lock screens.
If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.
if someone invades my computer , gets in desktop, they can get into my dpbx merely using icon, so not safe to use icon, always log into dpbx with passwrd, never post icon ?
@carldagostino wrote: if someone invades my computer , gets in desktop, they can get into my dpbx merely using icon, so not safe to use icon, always log into dpbx with passwrd, never post icon ?
If they can get on to your computer @carldagostino then even with a password your files are at risk - a very quick and simple key logger would give them all of the info they need.
You need to secure the devices/computers itself rather than an icon/folder within it.
Hey @carldagostino, I moved your post to this relevant thread.
Make sure to check Jay's reply that has some info on your query and if you have any questions, please let us know.
I figured that. Just to be clear a dropbx icon makes me more vulnerable. Password to log into dropbx each time more secure, right ? Then within each folder stored in dropbx should have it's own unique paswrd to add greater security, right? Appreciate your response and help
Thanks for the clear clarification. I understand. I'm approaching 74 and security for my accts, although simple and basic should be secure. Very helpful.
My dropbox account opens without password on my computer - how can I stop this?
@ecully1977 wrote: My dropbox account opens without password on my computer - how can I stop this?
If you're referring to the Dropbox website, sign out of the website and the next time you sign in, make sure you don't have the Remember me option checked. When you close your browser you'll won't automatically sign back in to the website on your next visit. As long as Remember me is checked, you'll be automatically signed in.
If you're referring to the Dropbox application on your computer, there is no password for it. If you're worried about someone accessing the Dropbox application or your local Dropbox folder, secure your computer with a username and password so no one else can sign in as you.
