Video conferencing is in a big boom today. An ideal option for connecting with colleagues while working from home, attending school classes, or catching up with your long-distance family friends, Zoom is your go-to video conferencing app. The major reason behind the boom is the COVID-19 pandemic that shook the entire world. In short, the world shifted remotely, and the trend is still on top today.
While Zoom offers many features, such as video recording, screen sharing, text chat, audio and video muting, and more, it's critical to protect your online privacy. Fortunately, this blog covers the top 10 Zoom privacy and security tips that you should keep in mind before hosting a meeting or joining one.
1] Ensure the Privacy of Your Account
Zoom is a video conferencing application you use almost every day. Thus, it is important to protect your account as effectively as possible. This way, you can keep hackers out and attend your important meetings. The following are some of the best security and privacy tips for Zoom users:
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- Use a strong password for your Zoom account
- Create a meeting ID every time you host a meeting
- Make sure to enable multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your account.
2] Focus on Internet Security
Working from home has become a new convenience and flexibility today. While doing so, you should ensure that you follow the best internet security practices as the corporate network is secured with certain parameters.
However, you can of course take into consideration a few steps such as avoiding clicking on suspicious links, emails, or visiting an untrusted website.
3] Keep a Close Eye on the Recording
In most of the scenarios, when it comes to KT, project discussions, and college sessions, the meeting is recorded. But this doesn’t mean you ignore the dark side. It is essential to notify users if the meeting is recorded and to restrict access. As, exposing the same can leak sensitive and critical information. The easiest Zoom privacy tip is to set it so only the host records the meeting.
4] Allow Signed-in Users to Join
If anyone tries to enter your meeting with an email address not on the invite list, they will be blocked and receive an email saying the meeting is limited to invited members. This option works the best as you have complete control over who can join the meeting and protect your privacy.
5] Download Zoom from a Trusted Source
Be careful. Do not download or update the Zoom Workplace randomly from any random source. Consider official sources such as the Zoom website, the App Store, or the Google Play Store if you are installing on your mobile device. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not fall for sites asking to update the Zoom app.
Check the domain carefully and simply hover the link; do not click on the same. This can lead to malicious activities and put you at risk.
6] Don’t Use Your Personal Meeting ID (PMI)
Consider your Personal Meeting ID a virtual meeting room you will have access to constantly once it has been shared. You do not want anyone to visit space after your meeting is over. One of the best zoom privacy tips is to generate a new meeting ID randomly every time you have a meeting, instead of using the PMI.
7] Double Check Before Sharing Your Screen
Always see what you share on the screen. There are tools that let you share slides, documents, or even your whole screen with participants. Make sure you do not have any personal documents, search history, messages, or sensitive information open before you share the screen.
Wherever possible, use the option to share only a specific window, not your entire screen. Screen sharing can also be limited by hosts to avoid unintentional exposure.
8] Enable the Waiting Room Option
The Waiting Room is an ideal option for checking who is trying to enter your Zoom meeting and removing unwanted participants. Meaning, the hosts have complete control over the participants you wish to add.
It makes them wait in the “waiting room” until the host approves each one. You can turn off the join before the host option in Settings to let participants join after the host.
9] Do Not Share Your Meeting ID or Passcode on Social Media
Anything publicly available can be an entry point for attackers. Do not share the meeting link, ID, or passcodes on public platforms such as social media or forums. Attackers can easily steal your sensitive information, gain access to meetings, and record your discussions without your consent. In this scenario, it is important to maintain the security and privacy of your Zoom account.
Alongside, if the link is shared on social media, anyone can access and join it. So, make sure you share the links via trusted channels such as email, calendar invites, or messaging apps.
10] Lock Your Meetings
Once your meeting has started and all participants have joined. You can lock the meeting. To do so, click on Participants at the bottom of your Zoom window. In the participants' pop-up box, you will see a Lock Meeting button. When the meeting is locked, no new participants can join, even if they have a meeting ID or password.
Bonus Tip
Keep Other Options Ready
Even though Zoom is the most popular video conferencing option, it's worth noting that there are other options available as well. If you face any security concerns with the Zoom app, you can try out other video conferencing apps such as:
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- GoToMeeting
- Google Hangouts
Final Words
A safer online environment is indeed the need of the hour! Zoom, our everyday work video conferencing app, raises security concerns that need to be addressed thoughtfully. It is necessary to stay vigilant and follow the best Zoom privacy tips to ensure safe, productive work. Collaborate and connect with your colleagues, discuss projects, chat with friends and family, and more in one place while maintaining a security-first approach.
Check out our blog section for more top-trending blog updates around the cybersecurity landscape.
FAQs
1] Is Zoom safe for privacy?
Ans: When it comes to privacy, Zoom does not provide end-to-end encryption for video calling. This creates security concerns among the users.
2] How is the 40-minute rule for Zoom?
Ans: The rule is quite simple on a free Zoom plan. Meetings with three or more people will end automatically after 40 minutes.
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