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Why do people have the permissions to download my shared files when I removed them?

I upgraded to the Professional plan to have my share options be very restrictive. To send files with no access to download, have a password, and an expiration date. I'm also the only person allowed to manage the folder. I uploaded my docs and created the folder. I then managed all this in the permissions. I sent it to a person, and they had download and share access AND they were not asked to put in the password. WHY are these permissions I set up not working?

Please HELP! What am I missing here? I will cancel the plan, if this isn't going to work.

Let me know, thank you.

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Jay

Hi @MC1111, thanks for messaging the Community!

When you shared a file, did you share it directly to their Dropbox account, instead of creating a shared link to the file?

Only the latter option will prevent other users from downloading the files in the shared link if you've disabled that option in the link settings.

This will help me to assist further!

MC1111

Hi - Thanks for the reply.

Quick question -- why was that name referenced? That's not my user/name. I'm MC1111. I'm not going to go on that account to get answers for this open ticket, so can you please delete it?

There may be some confusion, please reference me here at MC1111 so I can get your replies.

I set up the folder with put all the heaviest permissions on it (password, expiration date, no download), and yes I sent it as a shared link it did not work. I also then did the other method of sending directly. That also did not work. Every way I tried to send those files, it still allowed the Receive to have access to download and to even send it to others. I want to basically give VIEW ONLY access. Let me know, thanks.

Jay

Thanks for the info, @MC1111, I've updated the username.

Could you try deleting the shared link entirely, and unsharing the file from all users.

Afterwards, try just recreating the shared link only, with the option to download files disabled, and not sharing the file to a person's Dropbox account.

You'll need to forward the shared link to the users manually for them to access it.

MC1111

Hi Jay,

Thank you so much for the reply! I did what you said, and it worked for not allowing downloads, BUT it still allows the link to be shared.

Questions --

does that mean that if the person I send it to shares the link, I will get a notification that someone else is trying to access the files? OR will whoever they share it with be able to just open the files without me getting an email for permission?
if the person has a Dropbox account, will they have access to download?

MC1111

Hi Jay,

I thought the problem was fixed, but I just sent it to another email that has a dropbox account and again, they were able to download it. I'm looking for a view access option only. But it seems Dropbox doesn't have that option. I may just cancel this subscription, it's not working out. Thanks.

Rich

MC1111 wrote:
I'm looking for a view access option only. But it seems Dropbox doesn't have that option.

Dropbox does have that option. You can read about it in this help article. If you create a view-only shared link and disable downloads on it, no one will be able to download the original file, even if they have a Dropbox account. Of course, that doesn't prevent taking a screenshot of whatever is on their screen. Nothing can prevent that.

MC1111 wrote:
does that mean that if the person I send it to shares the link, I will get a notification that someone else is trying to access the files?

If someone shares a view-only link, and if you've set one, the password for that link, with another person, they'll be able to view the file as well. Nothing can prevent that and no, you will not be notified. Shared links have no tracking on them.

Sharing the file directly with a person, by inviting them to the file instead of using a view-only link, would require they have an account to access the file, but then they'd be able to download it. If someone else tried to access the file, they'd be prompted to request access.

MC1111

OK thank you for letting me know about all that. It seems that I'm able to specify no downloads, but for some it still gave them access. And there's too many other features that are not working out. I'll have to go back to basic plan and look elsewhere.

Thank you all for trying to help, appreciate it!