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Banned for downloading a file from someone else's link. How is this possible?
Here's the sequence of events:
- A link to a folder with video files was shared with me (from a business that makes video files) in a password protected folder.
- I clicked to download the folder locally.
- Dropbox asks me to login (while giving me the option to just download without logging in), but I log in.
- I download the folder.
- I get an email from Dropbox: "This email is an automated notification from Dropbox letting you know that your Public links have been temporarily suspended for generating excessive traffic. [...] Your current account bandwidth limit is 20.00 GB and your current usage is 83.87 GB." This is the size of the file I downloaded (locally) from someone else's link.
- There is a link to remove the ban, and I do that.
My question is: why did I get banned at all? The statement in the email is categorically untrue (at no point did my public links generate excessive traffic). Why is my account penalized for downloading files from another account's shared links? Why did downloading a file to my computer from another account count against my personal account's bandwidth, when I should have been able to download this without logging in at all?
Addendum: where do I view my account bandwidth limit? Help files for "bandwidth limit" only refer to limiting file transfer in the desktop app.
Hey BygoneAutomaton thanks for the heads up!
Happy to see that your issue is now resolved!
I can also confirm that this is a legit email, since it's coming from an official Dropbox domain.
Keep an eye out and if you come across the same thing again, don't hesitate to give us a shout! π
8 Replies
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- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey there, BygoneAutomaton sorry to hear that and let's jump right into this!
This sounds odd indeed.
If the shared link is coming from someone else's account then you shouldn't be receiving an email stating that you may have exceeded your bandwidth limit. Your account and sharing ability shouldn't be affected either.
What happens when you follow the steps to remove the temporary suspension for your account?
While there's no way for a user to check their account's bandwidth limit, let's try something else.
If you try to create a shared link, or share a file with someone, are you able to do so?
I'd also love to have a look at the email you received about this, in order for me to have a visual. Just make sure none of your personal info is shown there.
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there! - Mark
Super User II
Addendum: where do I view my account bandwidth limit?
There is no page that shows this online. Its also a rolling 24 hour window which makes it more awkward!
I'd suggest logging a ticket with support for help to see what has gone wrong, or, if it is just coincidental timing of the ban: www.dropbox.com/support
I was able to follow the link and remove the suspension without issue. I can create links from files in my account and other people can view them (although I don't technically know if this was ever actually restricted because I don't often do that). It seems like everything about my account is (back to) normal, but I had concerns on account of the email (screenshot below, I can provide headers if needed).
- Megan
Hey BygoneAutomaton thanks for the heads up!
Happy to see that your issue is now resolved!
I can also confirm that this is a legit email, since it's coming from an official Dropbox domain.
Keep an eye out and if you come across the same thing again, don't hesitate to give us a shout! π - Theresa
Community Manager
Hi BygoneAutomaton and welcome to the Dropbox Community π. Iβm glad to see all your questions were answered and resolved with Meganβs response to you β .
Separately, my name is Theresa, and Iβm a Community Manager here at Dropbox HQ π©βπ» I love hearing how our Community members use Dropbox every day πβ¨.
Iβm always fascinated by different workflows... Who knows? Your insights might lead to helpful tips to boost productivity π or even spark ideas we can share with our internal team π‘.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
T πΌ (Dropbox Community Manager)
This email is an automated notification from Dropbox letting you know that your Public links have been temporarily suspended for generating excessive traffic.
Headers look okay. Links look okay.
I have only a basic account and the only files in it are some Valentine wallpapers I forgot to delete. They are set to private. I don't know what it means by "Public links." This is dated 2025-04-27 13:12 and I also received a sign-in notice dated Apr 27, 2025 at 12:55 pm. (Never ever got one before.) I don't have access to my mail 24/7, so I got them when I signed in today. I honestly don't remember if I used Dropbox yesterday, but I think it was Friday or Saturday. I did recently download a huge amount of graphics I purchased. Is that what they are referring to? It was from another account and I didn't save them to Dropbox. It sounds like a link to download something from my account, which is what confuses me, since I have nothing to download.
I just want to know if I should be extra alert for phishing attempts. (I already tend to suspect everything unless I actually know it's okay.)
And also, does Dropbox basically ignore phishing, or is there a place to report it, if that's what this is?
~Faith
- Walter
Hi there Faith Jβ - thanks for letting us know about this.
If you've ensured that this email is coming from an official Dropbox domain and there are no links that could be causing this, you can report the email by forwarding the complete message to abuse@dropbox.com
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any other questions, Faith.
Hello Faith Jβ
Sounds like you are experiencing the same issue as recently reported by multiple users, for instance here:
I havenβt seen any Dropbox representative confirm this as an issue that they would be looking into, but considering the increasing number of recents reports for it, they probably should.
Hope this helps,
Andrew (DBoxTips)P.S. I am a volunteer on the Dropbox forums, freely and happily sharing know-how with other users, not affiliated with Dropbox in any way.
