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

neilBar's avatar
neilBar
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

compromised? stolen mac timemachine disk - what does "localdomain" mean in 'connected devices' list?

Hi I'm bit worried, my mac time machine discs were stolen last week (unencrypted) so I changed my dropbox password (and many others) 10 am this morning, I was prompted to check the devices connecte...
Account Access
Account Settings
Desktop
Security
Web
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    2 years ago

    Hi neilBar, the names don't really mean much, since this is the name pulled from the device itself when first making the connection to the Dropbox server. 

     

    If you hover over the i icon, you can see the IP address of the device itself. If it matches one of your own, then it could be another device you have on your premises, or immediately location.

     

    If you don't recognize the device, you can simply remove it from your account. If you're on a paid plan, you can also remotely wipe the Dropbox folder on that device at the same time.

Mark's avatar
Mark
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

Hi neilBar 

If its asked to reconnect after you disconnected it, no, you are not in trouble its the same device connected again, 

 

Note that there is no way anybody could use your Time Machine discs to connect to Dropbox - they would need the actual username and password. 

neilBar's avatar
neilBar
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

Hi Mark

thanks for helping

to clarify - 

the device that was listed as connected was "ChristopersMBP4.localdomain"

I dumped it,

Now the mini is logged in connected as: "neils-mini.local"  

not as ".localdomain"

Doyou still think it’s the same device? why the different name and .local -v- .localdomain?

 

I'd love to know how "localdomain" differs from "local" 

Would "ChristopersMBP4.localdomain" have to be on my network? Other macs here show as just - .local

 

I think they could theoretically log into dropbox because of saved browser passwords - its scaring me that someones in my data

 

thanks lots for the help

 

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    2 years ago

    The simple answer is 'thats what your Mac was called at that time'. Updating the OS can change that. There is nothing sinister about it. 

     

    If they have access to saved browser info then changing will help but you also need to update things like emails etc. Consider 2FA as well.

    • neilBar's avatar
      neilBar
      Helpful | Level 5
      2 years ago

      Hi Mark

       

      thanks

      "The simple answer is 'thats what your Mac was called at that time'"

      but I never had a mac called: ChristopersMBP4 its lookin glike it was someone else in my Dropbox

       

      and I'd still like to know why it was labelled "localdomain" wheras my others are "local"

       

      yeah I'm doing 2FA where its available

       

      good of you to help

      neil

      • Mark's avatar
        Mark
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
        2 years ago
        neilBar wrote:

        Hi Mark

        and I'd still like to know why it was labelled "localdomain" wheras my others are "local"

        Because thats what your Mac was called at the time you installed it. 

About Security and Permissions

Start a discussion in the Dropbox Community forum to get help with your account security and permissions. Find support from Community members.

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!