Zoom has been in the spotlight recently (also in the past) for security related issues as the popularity of web conferencing services has increased dramatically over the last few months due to the COVID-19 crisis.
No product or service can be considered bulletproof especially when their strength is in their “user friendliness” and security settings can be tweaked by the average user.
There is always a balance between security and usability.
With this in mind, some basic steps can be taken with these particular services to keep it easy to use but also close some gaping holes:
- Use a password for online meetings.
- Enable waiting rooms for attendees.
- Keep your software patched to latest versions (from OS to browser to web conferencing application, …).
- Mute your mic if you are not speaking.
- If sharing video, check around you for any sensitive information that could be captured and displayed also and remove it.
- If sharing desktop, close unused or sensitive application or share only a particular application and not your entire desktop.
- make use of background blur or images to obscure your physical surroundings if the application has this feature.
- If recording the conference, ensure sensitive information is not broadcasted such as bank details and credit card information.