Zoom
(Photo: Reuters)



Zoom is the most downloaded mobile today, and it is widely used for meetings and online classes, but how safe is it? Here, you'll find five steps that every Zoom user should know to avoid Zoombombing.

WHAT IS ZOOMBOMBING?

A news outlet describes 'Zoombombing' in their article as a person who is not part of your group who can join your meeting through Zoom, an online platform, where you can have discussions, and meetings with your colleagues.

In an article, it was said that Zoombombing is worst than a photobombing because people can share pornographic images, use obscene languages, and threaten someone from the group. 

In another article, the FBI warned people about 'Zoombombing': "The FBI has warned the public of the potential for 'Zoom-bombing,' after two schools saw their online classes get hijacked on the popular video conferencing app Zoom."

To address this issue, here are some of the five safety tips to avoid Zoombombing:

1. Be careful of links

Typically, Zoom begins by creating a link that is generated by the platform then send it to the participants. However, a security analyst for Checkpoint Software Mark Ostrowski said: "I would not click through any link I got from a Zoom invite as that could be a potential phishing scheme."

It is best recommended that when you use the platform for an online conference, you need to send a link that starts with 'https://zoom.us/' followed by a long string of characters.

2. Adjust the screen share options

An uninvited guest may interrupt and disrupt your meeting. However, the host can adjust the setting. On the general Zoom setting, click the screen sharing and advanced settings. From there, you have the option to let only the host share the screen. Now, your major privacy issue is SOLVED!

3. Use waiting rooms

One of the most secret security features of Zoom is for the host to pre-screen the participants before letting them join. How do you do this? In your master account setting under 'my account,' click 'settings,' then go to the meetings' tab and scroll to the bottom, where you will find 'Waiting Room options.' Once you click on it, you get to another level of security.

4. Create a webinar instead of a meeting

Zoom is free for all meetings that are less than 40 minutes. However, if you really don't want to be hacked, you may choose to have a webinar presentation instead.

5. Always remember that everything is being recorded

Whether you are a host or a participant in the meeting, you have to be reminded that everything is recorded. If this is your platform used in an online class, make sure not to chat any bad words. 

From December to March, the number of Zoom users has reached 200 million around the world, making it the most downloaded app in Apple and Google app stores.

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