During the COVID-19 pandemic, video calling apps have been popular for remote learning. Zoom has been perhaps the most used, and, unfortunately, some of its features have made it susceptible to hijacking or “Zoom-bombing.[1]” In order to keep your calls secure, there are countermeasures that can be implemented. In many cases, the problem isn’t a technical hole in security, it is included security features that aren’t enabled. You can protect your remote learning by using Zoom’s Security options (other apps have similar security features). Here are some tips:
1. Keep Your Zoom Current
For the latest Security options, you must update the app. Check for and install updates when you use Zoom.
2. Use a Unique ID and Password
When you create a Zoom account, the app assigns you a Personal Meeting ID (PMI), the numeric code that give out to people when you want to meet with them regularly, like with a class. You also have a second option, which is to generate a unique ID instead of using your PMI called a Zoom Meeting ID that is a unique every time you schedule a new meeting. You can also add a password. You should choose the password option and change the password to secure it.
3. Create a Waiting Room
A Zoom call can start one of two ways—immediately when first person logs on or when the host chooses. Always choose thee latter case, and create a Zoom Waiting Room. You can let people in all at once or one at a time, which means if you see names you don’t recognize in the Waiting Room, you don’t have to let them in.
4. Ensure that Only the Host Can Share Screens
To prevent intruders, make sure your settings indicate that the only people allowed to share screens are hosts. You can enable this setting in advance or during a call. In the Zoom web portal (not the desktop app) and in the settings navigate to Personal > Settings > In Meeting (Basic) and look for Screen sharing. Check the option that only the host can share.
5. Create an Invite-Only Meeting
Another way to restrict who can join your Zoom call is to make it an invite-only meeting. That means the only people who can join the call are those you invited, and they must sign in using the same email address you used to invite them.
6. Lock a Meeting Once It Starts
If you start a meeting and everyone you expect has joined, lock the meeting from new participants. While the meeting is running, navigate to the bottom of the screen and click Participants. The Participants panel will open. At the bottom, choose More > Lock Meeting.
7. Kick Someone Off or Put Them on Hold, as Needed
To kick someone off during a call, go to the Participants pane. Hover over the name of the person you want to boot and when options appear, choose Remove. By default, an ousted guest cannot rejoin. You can allow a booted party to rejoin. by navigating to Settings > Meeting > In-Meeting (Basic). Toggle on the setting called Allow removed participants to rejoin. Or you can put someone on hold by finding the video thumbnail of the person you want to put on hold, clicking on their image, and selecting Start Attendee On Hold. Once you decide the hold is over, you can press Take Off Hold.
8. Disable Someone’s Camera
Hosts can turn off any participant’s camera. If someone is being rude or inappropriate on video, or their video has some technical problem, the host can open the Participants panel and click on the video camera icon next to the person’s name.
9. Prevent Animated GIFs and Other Files in the Chat
In the chat area of a Zoom meeting, participants can share files, if you let them. If you’d rather not, be sure to disable file transfer. It’s on by default, so you have to actively disable it. Open Settings. On the left side, go to Personal > Settings. Then click In Meeting (Basic). Scroll down to File Transfer. That’s where you can disable it.
10.Manage Who Can Chat
You can prevent private chit-chat by disabling private chat. Open Settings. On the left side, go to Personal > Settings. Then click In Meeting (Basic). Scroll until you see Private chat. When the button is gray, it’s disabled.
Mute participants. The host can also mute and unmute anyone or everyone on a call. While the call is ongoing, click Manage Participants at the bottom of the Zoom window by clicking the microphone or camera icon next to their name.
Mute upon entry. And, the host can mute everyone automatically when they join a call. Before the call starts by going to the web portal and navigating to Settings > Meetings. At the bottom of the screen, click to Edit the meeting. Look for Meeting Options and check the box next to Mute participants upon entry.
[1] Source: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-prevent-zoom-bombing