How to allow firewall and security permissions for the Dropbox desktop app

The Dropbox desktop app doesn’t require any additional permissions on a standard Windows or Mac operating system with no additional firewall, security applications (such as ESET), or antivirus software.
 

How to allow Dropbox permissions

If you have additional firewall, security, or antivirus, your steps to allow Dropbox permissions will vary depending on your operating system and software, but there are some general steps you can take.
 

Whitelist, ignore, or allow Dropbox in your security software’s settings

The terminology for this action will vary depending on your software. You may be prompted to do so when you download the Dropbox desktop app.
 

Update your security application to the latest version

Make sure any security software you have installed on your computer is up to date.
 

Allow Dropbox access to the necessary ports

You’ll need to give Dropbox access to ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and 17600 and 17603 (to open files in third party applications).

Allow processes to run in your firewall or security software

In your firewall or security software you’ll need to allow the following processes to run: 

• On Mac computers, allow “Dropbox”, “DropboxMacUpdate”, and “Dropbox Web Helper”.
• On Windows computers, allow “Dropbox”, “Dropbox.exe”, and “DropboxUpdate.exe”.

Give permissions to the necessary folders

You’ll need to make sure that permission has been given to the “.dropbox.cache”, “dropboxupdate.exe”, and “%TEMP%” folders.

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