This site requires JavaScript to be enabled
An updated version of this article is available. You can only edit the latest version of the article

Best Practices for Shared Links in Box

281 views

9.0 - Last modified on 2025-03-17 Revised by Jeff Critchlow

8.0 - Last modified on 2024-04-01 Revised by John Kelly

7.0 - Last modified on 2021-03-19 Revised by John Kelly

6.0 - Last modified on 2020-03-24 Revised by John Kelly

5.0 - Last modified on 2019-10-29 Revised by John Kelly

4.0 - Last modified on 2019-04-09 Revised by John Kelly

3.0 - Last modified on 2019-04-09 Revised by Chelsea Noble

We recommend the following best practices for shared links in Box:

  1. For how to create a shared link, please see this article from Box
  2. Unless there is a strong need to customize the link, use the default Box shared link. They are more secure.
    1. If you must use a customized link: beginning in mid-March 2019, Box requires that all custom links be at least 12 characters in length. 
  3. Regardless of whether it is a default or custom shared link, if you’re sharing any data that shouldn’t be public and you need to set the access level to people with the link, set a password on your link.
    1. Passwords can only be set on a link when the access level is set to - People with the link. This is the most open access for the link. If using this type of link access, click the Link Settings to set a password for the shared link

  4. When you create a shared link of any kind, take the time to think about how long the link will be necessary. If you can determine a time limit, set an expiration date. Use the same Link Settings link above to set an expiration date for your link - it's the Link Expiration setting. Expiration dates will save you time and worry later. We recommend setting expiration dates for Shared Links.