Zoombombing: How to stay safe on Zoom amid its security issues?

Practically overnight, Zoom went from 10 million users to 200 million users representing essentially every possible use case. It became a sensation in corporate environments hosting internal conference calls. Initially, Zoom simply chose and configured its application security defaults based on a different (and much smaller) audience than it has today.

"It's a user education issue, and that's what makes it newsworthy," says Robert Walker. Robert is the Senior Information Technology Security Architect at the State of Washington. In a LinkedIn post, he stated how it was the duty of a user to stay safe.

Since the stories scaled from Zoom routing data via China to malware issues and end to end subscription, it became a huge sensation in the world of security issues. People even compared it to Huawei. But is it the monster people make it out to be? Well, it can't be said with full proof. Zoom has updated its privacy policy thrice in the last month. It has fixed every bug and design issue that has been raised, and have done so almost immediately.

Since we can't entirely ban Zoom due to its use, here are some tips that can help you stay safe:

1. Use Unique ID for large Public Zoom Calls

If you generate a new meeting ID every time you host one, you can reduce the risk of someone #zoombombing you. When you schedule a zoom meeting, look for Meeting ID and Generate Automatically. Instead of a personal ID, a unique ID is harder to guess. Make this setting your default one, and sit back peacefully.

2. Set-up a meeting password

Another way to protect your meeting is to set up a meeting password. Only send this password to credible and people you know. Use Zoom professionally rather than for advertisement. When you set up a password, a hacker is unlikely to access it. You should also aut0-generate a password. Once you check this box, you will reduce the risk of getting zoom-bombed.

3. Only let host share the screen or disable everybody else's camera

If you are hosting a class, it is important to disable everyone else's screen apart from the host's. You can use this for a presentation meeting as well. In that case, even if someone zoombombs the meeting, they will be unlikely to cause any major harm. In case someone is creating some nuisance, you can disable the screen sharing later on as well.

4. Remove those participants out that you don't want

Even it is some harmless zoombombing, you can kick that participant out. Hover over their name and click Remove.

5. Lock a meeting when all participants you need are there

When all the participants that you invited are there, lock the meeting. This feature disables anyone else from entering even if they have the ID and Password. On the bottom of the meeting, click More >> Lock Meeting.

6. Don't let anyone except you share a file

People can share files- images and documents- in the chat area. You can disable the setting of other people sharing files in the chat. If you are a participant, ask your host to enable this feature.

7. Let people join an Invite-Only Meeting

Don't the Meeting ID and Password to anyone in public. Send the link only to trusted source personally. Sending a private link enables you to exert control on who is joining the meeting.

8. Report inappropriate content asap

If you find something inappropriate, close the meeting and report it to Zoom Support Centre ASAP.

9. Use Virtual Backgrounds and Pseudo-names

Zoom provides you with this feature where you can choose a background behind you. This reduces the potential risk of someone peeking into the real area where you are. You can also use some pseudo names to protect your identity.

10. Only open links that have come from a known email

As a participant, join only those meeting whose link has been sent to you by a known person. If you open unknown emails, you can be apart of Zoom Phishing. Signs of phishing include distorted emails. poor language, unofficial domain name etc.

11. Keep the app updated

Zoom has been rolling out updates now and then. It is trying to make Zoom as safe as possible. Therefore, it is advisable to use an updated app on your mobile phones.

12. Use the Virtual waiting room feature

This feature enables the host to join first and everyone else after the host. When aa host uses this feature, any possible hacker cannot enter the meeting. This also helps the host have the most control over the meeting.

13. Avoid using Zoom like social media

If you want to go live, have fun, video call your family and be social, use other SNS. Let Zoom stay strictly professional. You can also disable Private Chats on the app. This will disallow anyone trying to send you a personal message.

14. Don't share your screen unless necessary

Screensharing is where the host shares a background screen or device screen with the participants. A host has to share his/her screen, but if you are a participant, don't share your screen unless it is necessary.

15. Have a co-host to help the main host

Multiple people can host a meeting. Click on Manage Participants in the meeting controls at the bottom of the Zoom window. Hover over the name of the participant who is going to be a co-host, and choose More. Click Make Co-Host. The co-host has control over all functions and features in the meeting the same as a Host. This is the person who can also control the meeting.

Many features on Zoom have now been disabled. This means that Big Brother isn't watching you anymore. But someone else is, according to some reports. If you use the above features, you can surely stay very safe.