Add option to require password for changing Selective Sync folder settings

[Richard B.93]

I would find it useful if Dropbox offered the option to require a password whenever the user changes which folders are selected/unselected in Selective Sync.

Example problem...

Computer A: my personal PC used exclusively by me - all Dropbox synced
Computer B: shared device used by me and co-workers - only one "work" Dropbox folder synced
Problem: Co-workers using computer B can change the sync settings to access all folders on computer A (not good!)
Solution: Allow password to be enabled when changing Selective Sync settings

Thanks for reading!

• Rich

[Megan]

This idea has been closed as it has reached the end of the Share an Idea process.

[Marcelo K.]

I have the exactly the same need. Any answer from Dropbox?

[Wendelin S.]

Same need here.

It is a realy useful option, when using dropbox on the work computer.

[Chris D.63]

And,  this feature will be great on mobile device! 

[Rich]

Solution: Allow password to be enabled when changing Selective Sync settings

Secure the user account and everything is protected; not just Dropbox.

And,  this feature will be great on mobile device! 

Selective Sync is not available on mobile devices (and there's not need since mobile devices don't sync everything). The mobile apps already have the ability to be secured with a PIN.

[Wendelin S.]

What exactly do you mean by "Secure the user account"?

[Rich]

I'm referring to the computer user account. The one used to log in to the computer. If you put a password on that, one that no one else knows, they can't log in to the computer using your account. They won't be able to access anything of yours, including Dropbox preferences.

[Georges A.1]

We use dropbox to remotely update and sync files on client's devices; It would be extremely useful to be able to have on big folder and then sync subfolder to every client; the possibility of adding a "master" password on dropbox settings would come in super handy here...

[Stephen L.4]

The suggestion to secure the PC itself of course makes sense but it does not help my situation. I have one particular directory that I do not want to sync with my home PC (which is used by children and it is very inconvenient to force them to have multiple IDs). Unfortunately, it seems that if I have my Dropbox account enabled on this PC then there is no way of preventing anyone who has access to this PC changing the Selective Sync settings without any password control and getting access to the missing data. So it seems that selective syncing is a space saving mechanism only and not a secure way of limiting access only to certain devices; the only way I can see to segregate the data is by setting up a separate Dropbox account for each PC and then just sharing only the data I want to. I am trying to avoid having a proliferation of Dropbox accounts - so putting the Selective Sync: Change Settings...... under Dropbox account password control would seem to make sense as a valid enhancement request.

[Helias V.]

Hello and congratulations for your software, as it is the best of its kind.
I would like to propose an additional feature though. One reason for someone (like me) to use selective sync (or an additional account) is the possibility to use dropbox on an shared pc account. Like in work environments. Or where PC security isn't guaranteed (windows' user account security is just rubbish...). So,  someone who just want his work files to be synced in his work PC, chooses selective sync.
But, while he is logged in, everyone who access this PC could, without any verification, modify which folders would sync and add personal folders in synced ones and thus gain access to personal data!
So, the feature i would like to propose is to password protect the selection of sync folders, as this could enhance data security in environments where shared PCs are used, without the need for additional dropbox accounts to occur.

[Richard P.]

This comes up often, and the sad fact of reality is that if your computer isn't secure then there is no point in securing individual apps on top, because anyone can install a simple memory debugging tool and read the passwords or certificates as they are used.

If you can't trust the security of your Windows account from casual snoopers, then you can't trust any password Dropbox could request.