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Re: Vault exposed my file!

Vault exposed my file!

Hedake
Helpful | Level 5

I was editing a file in my Vault in File Explorer.  Somehow I got a conflict.

 

Next day I found a folder had been created outside Vault

"DropBox\Vault (view-only conflicts 2023-05-20)\..."

with a copy of my file which was inside Vault!

 

So my secret Vault file was open for all to read!

 

This could happen to any of my files.

 

I need a better secure folder which is synced between Windows and Android.

Any ideas?

 

7 Replies 7

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

Hi @Hedake, I’m sorry to hear about your experience.

 

Can you please check out these steps and let me know if things go back to normal after that?

 

  1. Go to dropbox.com/vault in a web browser.
  2. You should be then asked for your PIN and the Vault should re-appear as per normal.

Let me know how it goes!


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Hedake
Helpful | Level 5

You have completely failed to understand my point.

 

This Dropbox fault still exists.

 

Richard

Hedake
Helpful | Level 5

Have you read my post?

 

Jay
Dropbox Staff

Hi @Hedake, thanks for the feedback on this matter. 

 

The Dropbox Vault is intended to store files securely, however, there can be errors when users edit files within the Vault, and the timer expires. 

 

We'd recommend editing and closing files before moving them into the Vault to prevent this in the future.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Hedake
Helpful | Level 5

Thanks, Jay,

 

I guessed that is how my vault file was exposed without warning and I accept your explanation.

 

The Vault closed too soon, whilst I was editing a file within it.

 

Perhaps you could adapt your software to allow users more control over Vault closure?

 

Meantime, how could I manage Vault closure?  I will ask the Dropbox Community.

 

Richard

 

Jay
Dropbox Staff

Currently, there isn't an option to modify the auto-lock period of the Dropbox Vault. If you wish, you can suggest this change for others to vote on, so the dev team can look into this in future.

 

If you feel a file will take too long to edit, you could temporarily copy it out of the Vault, edit it, close it, and then move it back into the Vault when you next open it.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Hedake
Helpful | Level 5

Recently Vault automatically closed whilst I was editing a file in Vault.

 

Unable to save the file inside my Vault, Dropbox exposed my secret file by saving it without encryption outside my Vault.

 

Which left my password hints file open for everyone to read.

 

What is the structure here?

 - if all files in Vault are read-only, tell us we may not edit them

 

 - if any files in Vault may not be read-only

      - they might be edited from Vault

           - which may sometimes close, resulting in

               - the edited file being saved outside Vault and exposed   << here I object >>

               - or could be an external editor sees the file as read-only and will not save unless Dropbox Vault reports user has signed in

               - something else

               - but please don't close the Vault to expose a Vault file being edited from Vault

 

Don't know if this helps.

 

Richard

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