You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

adelaide2023's avatar
adelaide2023
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago

On deleting potentially infected file from Dropbox.com

My antivirus detected a file on Dropbox as a virus and deleted it drom my computer. However Dropbox on my computer is not currently signed in, so I deleted the file from Dropbox manually first on the android app, and then I emptied Deleted items on Dropbox.com in a mobile browser.

I just want to check was this safe fir my android device. The file was not opened or downloaded, just deleted.

FWIW, I believe this to be a false positive anyway as it was an extension file from an 8-year-old Chrome default backup. It was a ".js" file.

I'd appreciate any information you could give me. Thank you.
  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    2 years ago

    Hi adelaide2023, if the file was harmful in any way, it would have affected your Dropbox files, and device the moment it got added into the account.

     

    Since you mentioned that there wasn't any odd behaviors there, then I believe you'll be okay. In any case, keep an eye on it and if you have any concerns, or questions, we'll always be one post away!

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

    Hi adelaide2023, let's jump right into this! 

     

    Based on the info you gave me, and since you didn't open the file, it seems you followed the right path there about deleting the file.

     

    However, I can't tell you with certainty that this file wouldn't affect your mobile, since I'm not 100% sure if this file was a virus, and what type of ransomware it was -if one-. 

     

    Have you noticed something out of the ordinary with your mobile device? 

     

    Let me know more! 

    • adelaide2023's avatar
      adelaide2023
      Explorer | Level 4
      Thank you for replying.

      Other than my browser briefly jamming when I first tried to reply to you just now, no. And that could have plenty of explanations - I was running a scan,fir example.

      I've also run 2 each of Antivirus and Malwarebytes scans, all clear.

      Is there any danger to that file sitting in my Dropbox for 8 years and the time between the original virus scan and my deleting it (which was nearly a month)?

      Thanks for your help.

About Delete, edit, and organize

Solve issues with deleting, editing, and organizing files and folders in your Dropbox account with support from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!