Hide sensitive files

[Vronni]

Hi all,

I will soon be sending my laptop in for repairs. I have sensitive files on my Dropbox that I don't want anyone to be able to access. There are many files - all my tax info for quite a few years. What's the best way to remove or hide those files, preferably while still keeping them on Dropbox in the cloud? I want to make the surest and easiest choice.

1. No matter how I do it, I will save those files on an external hard drive, just in case.

2. If I sign out of Dropbox on my laptop, will the files still be on my laptop? Does signing out merely turn off syncing?

3. Is it possible, via Dropbox.com or other means, to turn off syncing for just a single folder, keeping the folder in the cloud while deleting the folder on my laptop?

4. Is it easiest to simply copy them to the external drive, then delete them, putting them back in later?

Thanks for your help!

[Jay]

Hi @Vronni, thanks for joining the Community!

The easiest option is to use selective sync, which is essentially your third option.

It deletes the local folder from your machine, but keeps it on the Dropbox site. This can be disabled via the app, just so you're aware, in case the repair shop decides to re-enable that folder.

If you need any further assistance, please let me know!

[Vronni]

Thank you, Jay.

If I use selective sync to hide those folders, and then sign out of dropbox, no one can change those settings, right?  Because they'd have to sign back in first, and they won't be able to. Yes?

Signing out won't lose any of my files, right?

[Jay · Accepted solution]

That's a clever way of hiding it. Yes, hiding the folder via selective sync, and then signing out of your Dropbox account completely would prevent them from accessing the folder via the app. To be more secure, make sure to sign out of the Dropbox site as well and that the browser hasn't saved your password to login there.

Bear in mind that there is a device limit on Dropbox, so signing out of the desktop app could result in you not signing in again. If you're on a Basic plan and have more than 3 devices connected, then removing a device means you can't sign in again with it.