Zoom 5.0 is now mandatory to host or join video calls; Update before 30th May

Zoom has gained a lot of attention during the Coronavirus pandemic. As the world went digital, it served as an important milestone. But there were security issues. So, in April, Zoom decided to take 90 days to fix as many security issues as possible. The company is now asking users to make sure their Zoom applications — be it on smartphones or desktops — are updated to the latest version (Zoom 5.0) before May 30.

Zoom wrote in a recent blog post that the update is mandatory for all users. Those who fail to get the latest version of Zoom will not be able to join any meetings after May 30. They even tweeted it:

#Update to the most secure version of Zoom by May 30!
➡️ https://t.co/64XvO6YRNs pic.twitter.com/JSlk3OL5EU

— Zoom (@zoom_us) May 28, 2020

Which Zoom update do you need and why?

You require Zoom 5.0 or higher to be able to join meetings after May 30. Zoom 5.0 was an important release for the video chatting platform. The company introduced it 0n April 27 as a part of its 90-day security enhancement plan. It includes a stronger encryption standard to further ensure that the content you share on Zoom is safe. It also protects users against actions like Zoombombing.

When they first released the update, Zoom noted that it’ll roll out the new encryption protocol to all users by May 30. Not only is the company keeping that promise, but it’s also doing a wise thing by making the update mandatory so that everyone on Zoom has a uniform and safer experience.

What are the added security features in Zoom 5.0?

Some security features on Zoom 5.0 include:

1. AES 256-bit GCM encryption: This action provides added protection for meeting data and greater resistance to tampering. The GCM encryption will go live on 30th May.

2. Report a User feature: Meeting hosts and co-hosts can report a user in their meeting. This option is available in the security tab, where users can send a report to Zoom’s Trust & Safety team for review. This report can include specific offences, description, and optional screenshot. The Report a User function is on by default but can be turned off at the account, group, and user level in the Zoom web portal.

3. New encryption icon: A new encryption shield appears in the upper left of the Zoom Meeting window. It will indicate a secure and encrypted meeting. After May 30, the shield will be green for all users, denoting enhanced GCM encryption.

4. Enhanced data centre information: Meeting hosts can now select data centre regions. Initially, it was reportedly passing through China. So now, if you don't want it to route from China, you can change that.

5. Enhancements to ending/leaving meetings: Now even if a host leaves the meeting, he/she can appoint a new host.

6. Profile picture control: Account admins and hosts can disable the ability for participants to show their profile picture and also prevent them from changing it in a meeting.

7. Minimum password length: In the new update, the minimum default password length will be six characters for meetings, webinars, and cloud recordings.

8. Cloud recording security: Admins and meeting hosts can set expirations on their cloud recordings and can disable the sharing of their recordings.

Finally, update to Zoom 5.0 as soon as you can, or you might not be able to use it.

Read More: Velchamy Sankarlingam will join Zoom as the President of Engineering and Product effective June 12