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Forum Discussion

faustino1's avatar
faustino1
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago

Avast blocks opening Dropbox Web site from the application

Avast notificationWhen trying to launch the Dropbox Web site, from the icon of the application, Avast blocks it identifying it as phising (see attached image).

It happens also when trying to reach Dropbox from the links ("Share..","Version History", etc.) of a file in the local folder.

Reinstalling Dropbox, or unlinking/linking to the account, does not solve it.

(Otherwise, there is no problem when opening the Dropbox web site by login in the web browser.)

I am using macOs Catalina and Chrome.

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    6 years ago

    Hey again Debby M., thanks for nudging us here. 

    As Rich mentioned previously, this is a false positive. This can occur when an application is incorrectly flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus software.

    In any case, rest assured, the official Dropbox desktop app isn't a phishing attempt and our team is further looking into this matter.

    If you have any other concerns, we are always here to assist. Hope this helps to some extent!

  • irobot's avatar
    irobot
    Explorer | Level 4

    The message that appears is this:
    Unable to access this siteThe page file: /// C: /Users/User/AppData/Local/Temp/dbxlyn2mwrdz.html#c848bac81ef1e4cc6c9cdcf95fb2ef9e3c2063b7799f114ba8f6f73cb8210fda316 temporarilybeen temporarily moved45
    ERR_FAILED

      • derekchan's avatar
        derekchan
        New member | Level 2

        I have the same problem.  AVG blocks it.  Unlink, uninstall dropbox, reinstall dropbox, scan pc, it doesn't solve the problemthreat.pngthreat.png

  • Lusil's avatar
    Lusil
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hey faustino1, thanks for reaching out to us about this. 

    To ensure that we cover some initial ground, could you please confirm for me if your desktop app is syncing or if it's completely synced and up to date?

    You can check this by hovering over your Dropbox icon on your system tray or menu bar

    Let me know what you find!

    • faustino1's avatar
      faustino1
      Explorer | Level 4

      It is completely synced and up to date (for the selected folders according to Selective Sync).

      • Lusil's avatar
        Lusil
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Thanks for confirming that for me, faustino1.

        I've followed up with a ticket to the email associated to your Community profile to have a more in-depth look on this together. Please check your inbox for my latest message. 

        Looking forward to hearing back from you!

  • blu's avatar
    blu
    Explorer | Level 3

    Windows Defender (Windows 19) keeps warning that I have a threat from a Virus called “exploit:PDF/Ticanoti.A“ located in the Dropbox Cache. Moments after Defender erases the file the warning comes again. I tried to delete everything in the dropbox.cache, but there is a folder that cannot be deleted (I tried several ways, also with the cmd command del). Even after a new start with dropbox deactivated and no app, running the delete-command gives me the error that there is a file in use (code 0x80070091). Also the dropbox synchronization seems to be stuck with 6 files to synchronize.

    I suppose Dropbox keeps synchronizing, since the problem does not appear when the Dropbox-App is closed. I cannot locate the file that causes the troubles. Any ideas what could help?

    • blu's avatar
      blu
      Explorer | Level 3

      Me again: In the meantime I could delete the folder (with the repair-fuction for the whole disc drive). Nevertheless the virus warning keeps coming.

      • Fiona's avatar
        Fiona
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hey blu

        So sorry to see you did not get a response to this concern of yours. I located your post and I am now moving it to a discussion we had with other users on the same matter. 

        Reading through the topic will give you the answers you were looking for. 

        Hope you get back to us with all your questions. 

        Again apologiez we did not get back to you earlier. 

        Cheers! 

      • irobot's avatar
        irobot
        Explorer | Level 4

        Similar problem that RonStar19 relates:

        "when opening dropbox.com through the dropbox icon Avast gives a warning about a phishing file. Dropbox.com will not open. I tried this on 3 computers. Every attempt give a different filename. The treat stayes the same: HTML:PhisingDpx-CS[Phish]. There is no warning when opening dropbox.com through the browser".

        My system is Windows 7.

        Same question:

        "Is this a phishing file in the dropbox app? Is it a false warning by Avast?"

        Thanks.

    • PoloMaol's avatar
      PoloMaol
      New member | Level 2

      Since this morning I get a phishing warning every time i try to open dropbox from menu. I have uninstalled and reinstalled, run avast, and nothing changed. It opens fine from my browser. What is happening ? How do i deal with this ?th this ?

      • DB_User31's avatar
        DB_User31
        Explorer | Level 4

        I have the same problem on my MAC.   I contacted Avast. Their conclusion is that the link Dropbox provides in the app is a malicious link.  They assured me that my computer is fine and I should use my browser, instead of the link, to access Dropbox.com.  They also advised me to contact Dropbox.  Which I tried, but they do not have phone support - just that ridiculous bot.  All it did was arrange for an e-mail contact which could take up to 72 hours.  That is not what I would call quality customer support!

    • RonStar19's avatar
      RonStar19
      Explorer | Level 3

      when opening dropbox.com through the dropbox icon Avast gives a warning about a phishing file. Dropbox.com will not open. I tried this on 3 computers. Every attempt give a different filename. The treat stayes the same: HTML:PhisingDpx-CS[Phish]. There is no warning when opening dropbox.com through the browser.

      System: Windows 10 / dropbox version 84.4.170 / Avast free version 19.8.2393 - 18.8.4793.544.

      Is this a phishing file in the dropbox app? Is it a false warning by Avast?

      • ttuAlt's avatar
        ttuAlt
        New member | Level 2

        Same issue on Mac OS

        Dropbox: v85.3.138
        Avast: v14.2 - Virus definitions: 19110302
        Mac OS: 10.14.6

  • jim24's avatar
    jim24
    New member | Level 2

    When I try to access the dropbox website from the avatar in my finder dropbox app, I get a virus warning and message that site is not available

    • Lusil's avatar
      Lusil
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Hey jim24, thanks for reaching out to us about this. 

      Could you please send me a screenshot (without any personal info) of this behavior so that I have a better visual understanding of your concern?

      Keep me posted!