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Forum Discussion
Natmonster
5 years agoHelpful | Level 7
Photographs that are NOT mine in Dropbox - and NOT as a result of using a shared computer!
Hello,
I have discovered a folder in my Dropbox entitled 'Camera Uploads' which is full of hundreds of photos and videos that are not mine. The files are dated from August 2012-November 2013 (which by coincidence is likely to be around about the same time that I set up my Dropbox account). I have not had reason to look in the folder before as I thought it was simply a default folder that Dropbox created on signup.
At first I thought perhaps the folder had been shared with me accidentally but it turns out it is not a shared folder and Dropbox is telling me that the files were uploaded 'by you' (i.e. me!).
Having searched the Dropbox community threads and Google I found someone who had a similar issue and one of the possible reasons given in the thread was that perhaps the user had used a shared computer in the past and left themselves signed into Dropbox and then someone else's phone photos were auto-backed up when they connected. I do not believe this to be the case for me. The reason being is that I looked through all the photos and videos to try to decipher if I knew the owner. I did not. However, one of the photos displayed a gig ticket stub which displayed the surname of the person who bought it - and lo and behold it happens to match my surname. This all seems to point to a scenario where someone with the same name as me was somehow able to sign in to my account and use it to back up their files. Can anyone (at Dropbox or otherwise) explain how this could possibly have happened?
This is surely a security issue. The reason I was poking around in the folders is because I was preparing to start using Dropbox for my business needs but this issue has alarmed me and I now have strong doubts about the security of Dropbox, especially for sharing/storing confidential business files.
BTW I have now changed my password and I was tempted to delete the folder but I feel kind of bad that I now have someone's personal photos (pics and videos of their kids in the school play etc.). I have tried to get in touch with someone at Dropbox but I currently have the basic free account and my options are limited to a chatbot or this forum (another turnoff - I hate when companies make it impossible to contact them!).
Hoping you can help!
Thanks,
Nat
57 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
- Natmonster4 years agoHelpful | Level 7
Hi Walter,
I would very much welcome that, thanks. If you haven't already, may I suggest that the offer is extended to Laquenta, as we both seem to have been affected by the same bug.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,Natalie
- Walter4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for your cooperation Natmonster - I've just sent you an email to investigate further.
Please have a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.
Also, if you're still having issues with this, would you like me to reach out via email to you too Laquenta? - Natmonster4 years agoHelpful | Level 7Thanks Walter. I have replied now.
Natalie - debmahtab4 years agoHelpful | Level 5
Got notice I was out of space in my Dropbox. I decided to look in the folders and delete some of MY pictures. I have thousands of pictures that are not mine. I bought this computer new one year ago. I'm so frustrated because you can't email tech support or customer service. I have to INDIVIDUALLY delete each picture. I need help because I don't want to be forced to buy more space when I have all these random pictures of everything you can think of. I need help
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi debmahtab, let's look right into this!
What does your plan page report? Do you have any shared content, that could be counting against your own, personal storage?
Keep me posted!
- Natmonster4 years agoHelpful | Level 7It's frustrating to see this is still happening to others and who knows on what scale. Dropbox don't seem to want to address the bug or even acknowledge that there is a problem, instead shifting blame to the users but there clearly is a problem with data security.
Dropbox offered to take up my query on email and I got an email from a perfectly nice representative but I got no real answers and they failed to get to the bottom of what was causing the problem.
I would stress to anyone reading this, DO NOT use Dropbox to store files that include sensitive information or that you would not be happy to end up in someone else's hands. - debmahtab4 years agoHelpful | Level 5
Thank you for your response, at least I know I'm not the only one. I hate Dropbox! I would like to take it off my computer but don't know what would happen if I did. I guess I'm going to have to pay Geek guys to try to help me figure out what to do w/o Dropbox. Just awful they offer no help.
- debmahtab4 years agoHelpful | Level 5
I have 0 shared files. The problem is I'm deleted by month but I have perhaps one of my pictures in there so I can't just delete by the month. I'm so frustrated I'm thinking of just taking Dropbox off my computer but afraid of what would happen if I did. I have an HP. I have absolutely no idea where these random pictures of everything you can think of came from. Thanks for your message
- Mark4 years ago
Super User II
Hi debmahtab
Can you find one of the pictures that isnt yours and click on the three .'s at the end of the file name. Then restore previous versions. That will show you where/when it was uploaded which may give you some clues as to where it came from.
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Natmonster, happy Monday!
Your feedback regarding this has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.
Also, feel free to reply back to your ticket number if you have added questions.
Thanks!
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