Zoom meeting became the leading social connection channel for many of us during the COVID-19 quarantine. As with any new technology we adopt, different problems arise. One, for example, is Zoombombing, where uninvited people break into a Zoom meeting.
While Zoom has already added a few security and privacy measures to prevent Zoombombing, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect your account, to avoid a stranger from spying on you, infect you with malware, or take advantage of the loose security settings of your meeting. The guidelines are to raise awareness of the security issues that exist on the platform and how to address them.
1. Use the Zoom website
The recommendation is to use the website version of Zoom. It will ensure you a more considerable amount of control over your meeting, as well as a higher level of security.
If you have no choice, or you prefer the App, make sure it is up-to-date with the latest software updates, which will ensure that the version you are using is clean of security breaches.
2. Turn off File Transfer
It is recommended not to allow File Transfer available for paid accounts during the meeting. File transfer is a known way to break into your computer and to damage it. Follow these instructions to turn off File Transfer.
3. Send personal invitations with password
It is necessary to ensure that only participants you have invited are attending the meeting. It can be done by sending a personal invitation with a security password and using SMS or email to add people to the meeting.
4. Share only specific Applications or Documents
If you are sharing the computer screen, we recommend that you only share particular applications or documents, rather than sharing the entire screen. That’s because you might reveal not only private data you don’t want to but also data that could potentially be used by a hacker to hack your computer.
5. Save Call Recordings locally
Despite the option for paid users to automatically upload the call recording to the cloud, the recommendation is not to do so. Select a folder locally on your computer to store your recorded calls there. Follow Zoom help on Call Recording.
6. Control who’s joining the Zoom meeting
To block uninvited people from attending the meeting, make sure only the host can decide who is participating by enabling the Waiting Room for guests. People joining the conference get into the Waiting Room first. The host can see who is there and let them in (or not).
To enable the Waiting Room, go to the Settings menu and turn on the Waiting Room.
7. Disconnect from the Zoom meeting at the end
At the end of the meeting, you must make sure you’ve completely disconnected from it. Many people press the Back button or exit all screens. But in this case, the conversation will continue to run in the background, and someone might be able to listen and watch you. Therefore, the host should end the meeting for everyone, and if not – click End Meeting.
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