When making a video call, it all depends on how you manage its privacy and security. If you’re joining the conference from an unsecured Wi-Fi connection, then it is you who is solely responsible for providing a gateway to the hackers.
Remember, your ultimate goal in a video call is safe and secure access. In other words, it means that you must prevent unwanted third-parties from getting access to the device or data of anyone. Since the world is engulfed in the pandemic Coronavirus, a strict practice of self-isolation is being followed. As a result, people are working from their homes for two months. All the important decisions and meetings are conducted via the Zoom app.
Zoom app is both free, easy to use, and set up. However, the flaws reported have made it vulnerable and risky to use. Soon after, the security holes in the Zoom application, which resulted in breaches, have put Zoom security at significant risk. A common issue that majority users encounter was ZoomBombing (a practice in which user’s meetings got hijacked). Zoombombing leads to showing obscenities, pornography, and attempts every possible mean to disrupt meetings.
Although tech experts have proposed solutions for this situation, don’t forget that cyber-criminals have become more sophisticated in this digitalized age and are always looking for loopholes to breach the privacy of the people. However, to encounter some flaws, Zoom had launched three new features earlier this month.
New Features By Zoom App
- Password for every meeting. Before this feature, anyone with your Meeting ID or link to your chat can join your meeting. This feature ensures that anyone without a password cannot enter your video conference. The rule applies to every meeting including new meetings, previously scheduled meetings and the ones using a personal ID.
- Zoom Waiting Rooms will remain turned on by default. This means a person has to wait a bit longer but it’s certainly good for privacy and security.
- Screen Sharing privilege is to the host only. Therefore, Zoom bombers cannot share offensive images.
Quick Tips to Stay Secure
Zoom security is vital for both the hosts and participants that use it. Make sure you fulfill your responsibility towards zoombombing, no matter if you are using it on your laptop or zoom app for a mobile device.
Here are some quick tips that you should always remember to ensure Zoom meeting safety:
- Use strong passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Use a reliable VPN service to encrypt your Zoom traffic.
- Make sure you have firewalls installed on your device, and it is actively working.
- Regularly update your device and use antivirus products to scan for potential risks, vulnerabilities, and viruses.
- Be vigilant while sharing your meeting invitation and requests you send to the participants to join you.
Check Out Your Internet Connection
The most imperative aspect of video conferencing requires a stable and fast internet connection. A slow or throttle internet connection brings adverse effects on your video and results in inconsistent audio.
Make sure to use a LAN cable when you’re using your laptop because it guarantees a stable internet connection. Opt for a secure connection and the top-notch level of encryption and password protection if you have a wireless connection.
Pick a Reliable and Known Video Conferencing Software
A good quality video conferencing software helps in facilitating business communication. Good software is essential because it has all security issues fixed and is free from all loopholes. The presence of viruses and malware in your operating system results in hijacking your meetings too.
Download all these software for free that helps in minimizing the risks associated with virtual conferences. Please get the latest version of the best video conferencing software, but make sure that it is compatible and stable with your operating system. It is essential, so you enjoy an uninterrupted video conferencing session.
Setting Permission to Access Control
Setting permission is necessary to maintain control over who is on the call. We all know that hackers are present everywhere and use such techniques that you aren’t aware of. In this scenario, all you can do is permit relevant people to access the video conference.
“User permissions and access control are the most important element of Zoom security,” says Alex Williams, a video codec developer at Hosting Data UK. “If you’re setting up a video conference with your colleagues, make sure to provide everyone with a username and password – and mandate that they change it immediately.”
Will non-employees or non-key personnel be attending the call? You should use a shared password that can be easy for third parties to gain access. Before starting the agenda of the call, do have a list of participants to know who is on the call and ask them first to authenticate to join the virtual session. Organizations set up various access levels for different employees and team workers.
Lock Your Meetings
As soon as the meeting starts and everyone joins, click on the participants’ option present at the bottom of the Zoom window. In this pop-up box, a button is present that says “Lock Meeting”. By enabling this feature, you restrict any new participant from joining even if they have the user ID and password.
Protect Your Account
Like all other accounts, the zoom is also an account, and its protection is your responsibility. While you set up your account, implement the necessary and fundamental steps for account protection. To provide robust protection, use a combination of secure passwords, and enable two-factor authentication, it is incredibly challenging for hackers to break it.
Although this tip is quite common, people do neglect it quite often. Once you know your Zoom login credentials, do not make it public. Moreover, as Zoom offers a feature to join public conferences with your login ID, it is easy for the cyber-crooks to leak your data; therefore, avoid anything from doing.
Ensure Webcam Security
Hackers use malicious software like spyware to spy on you with the assistance of your webcam. It is a serious concern while you engage in a video conference on zoom because it is mandatory for useful business communication webcam. A cybercriminal might change your video background so that other members won’t be able to see you. In this way, they can hack your meeting.
Always turn off your webcam once the meeting gets finished. During online sessions, when you think there is no need for a webcam, switch it off to remain on the safe side. If you don’t turn it off, at least cover it up with some opaque material or with a webcam cover.
Manage Screen Sharing
The easiest way to maintain control of the screen sharing during a Zoom meeting is never given it in the first place. Restrict your screen sharing to yourself to prevent random people from taking control of the screen. You can make this change before or between the conference by using the host control present at the bottom of the interface.
There is an arrow next to the “Share Screen,” click on it, and then choose “Advanced Sharing Options.” Under the tab of “Who can share?” choose host only and then close the window. Additionally, lock the screen share feature by default in your web settings for all your meetings.
Use Effective Password Managers
Reset your default login details and create strong passwords both for your device and router. For instance, if you are using the zoom app from a smartphone, make sure you’ve set strong and unbreakable passwords for your mobile device. Don’t forget to lock your phone when it is not in use.
Set a complex password for your device, a combination of numbers, symbols, uppercase, and lowercase letters is an ideal option to go with. Also, update your passwords monthly and avoid using the same passwords for different accounts and sites.
Well! In this case, a password manager is again helpful in setting up a robust password. These are software apps that make unbreakable passwords with military-grade encryption. It makes your password challenging to identify and hack. Furthermore, you have to remember only one password at a time.
Be Wary of Phishing and Online Scams
Avoid clicking on suspicious attachments and unknown emails, even if they appear to come from a legitimate source. Phishing scams are most prevalent, sending you to a website that looks legitimate but is far from it. Given the proliferation of low cost and free domain name registrars today, many phishing operations are able to create these schemes en masse, luring you into downloading links.
This allows hackers to access your sensitive information or spread malware on your device. Remember, if you have malware installed on your video conferencing device, it makes other members exposed to security and privacy threats.
Final Thoughts
Companies and organizations are using the Zoom app as a significant source of video conferences, so the employees should prepare themselves from a security point of view. Implement all the tips mentioned above to enjoy a secure video conference experience. All these practices help in increasing the effectiveness of the meeting and prevent any unwanted situation.