- Zoom: One year on, is it safe to use?

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It has now become an essential app for businesses, groups of socially-distant friends, and even entire families. But is Zoom safe? Stories about the app's security and privacy issues have been lurking throughout its rise. Let's take a closer look at some of the biggest Zoom security concerns you need to know about. Yes, Zoom-bombing is a thing. Much like photo-bombing, which sees people insert themselves into unsuspecting people's snaps, Zoom-bombing refers to the practice of users logging into Zoom calls that they were not invited to.

But how is Zoom-bombing possible? Zoom uses a unique meeting ID number for every chat on its platform. The number is between nine and 11 digits long and is used to get access to a conference. However, meeting ID numbers can be easily guessed. As a result, pranksters are joining calls and creating havoc using features such as screen sharing. At best, it's very annoying. At worst, it compromises your data, especially if you are on a confidential business call.

The solution is simple—set a password for every Zoom call you participate in. Zoom has also introduced a way to suspend participants' activities, meaning you can boot imposters out of your call. Zoombombing is another reason why users should be cautious when using Zoom. Zoombombing is a new type of harassment in which hate speech, pornography, and other inappropriate content is suddenly flashed by disrupting a video call on Zoom. Zoombombing has led to various school districts, like New York City, and companies, like SpaceX, to ban the use of Zoom.

These accounts were discovered by an independent security firm and verified by NBC News. Zoom has been working hard to mitigate these security issues and provide a better level of security and privacy for its users. The quick answer to the question of whether or not Zoom is safe to use depends on your intended use of the platform. For most people who are using Zoom to communicate with their families and friends, the platform is relatively safe.

Zoom has been working around the clock and has responded quickly to the security issues that have been reported, as evidenced above, and continues to publish feature, security, and privacy enhancements. If Zoom continues to listen to its user-base and the security community as the company improves and focuses on security and privacy, the widely-used videoconferencing platform may just become one of the most secure communications platforms available.

There is no such thing as a completely secure anything. There will always be risk in using an application, platform, or device connected to the internet.

Zoom made false claims to its users and deceived them in a series of ways. Opening Hours : Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm. Is Zoom A Security Risk? Does Zoom Steal Your Info? How Safe Is Zoom? Does Zoom Steal Your Information? Open the Chrome browser. Go to join. Your meeting ID, which the host or organizer will be giving you, should be entered.

Join the Zoom meeting by clicking Join if you are using Google Chrome for the first time. Securing video-conferencing software can be challenging, so one should expect some security shortcomings. As these issues become more prevalent, though, Zoom and similar services are taking more steps to increase cybersecurity.

Devin Partida writes about apps, software and other technologies. She is the Editor-and-Chief of ReHack. Let us help make your event a success.

The premier source for computing research. Visit our Jobs Board. Steps Toward Protection Not all Zoom news is about newfound flaws within its cybersecurity systems. Is Zoom Safe to Use? ComputingEdge Newsletter Subscription. Choose all that apply. Hold Ctrl or Cmd key to select more than one.

     

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Zoom has emerged as a popular way for co-workers to meet while social distancing. As its popularity has soared, however, some significant security flaws with the service have become clear. As a result, the adoption of teleconferencing services like Zoom has skyrocketed in the months following the outbreak.

Zoom added more than 2 million users in the first two months of alone. As people have used the platform more regularly, several safety issues have emerged. More privacy-centered Zoom news stories are making headlines. In light of this ongoing history of problems, is Zoom safe?

People filed a class-action lawsuit in response to its less-than-perfect privacy policy. As more companies started looking into the platform, additional Zoom security breaches became evident.

With these issues becoming more apparent, some businesses, including SpaceX, started banning employees from using the software. These attacks ranged from juvenile annoyances to racist language and sexual harassment. More recently, security firm Cisco Talos found two more Zoom vulnerabilities , both involving malware delivery. Malware is one of the most common cybersecurity threats and can have severe consequences.

Want more tech news? Subscribe to ComputingEdge Newsletter Today! Not all Zoom news is about newfound flaws within its cybersecurity systems. In response to these security breaches, the company has taken steps to improve its safety and protect users. For example, soon after the Talos investigation, Zoom released an update that patched the issues. In early May, the company bought security firm Keybase in a bid to improve its privacy. Keybase specializes in messaging and file-sharing, making it an ideal purchase for the telecommunication platform.

Zoom also hopes that through Keybase, it can implement end-to-end encryption, the lack of which has been a considerable flaw with the service. The company initially stated it would only release end-to-end encryption to paid users.

On June 17, however, it backtracked and announced that this feature would come to everyone after facing backlash about its original plan.

Zoom will start implementing this feature in July, bringing a needed security update to the platform. End-to-end encryption helps ensure that only the parties involved in communication can see or hear their messages.

This feature would make Zoombombing and other forms of hacking a difficult, albeit not impossible, task. Instances of Zoom security breaches are abundant, especially as more users move to the platform. Throughout its history of vulnerabilities, though, the company has consistently released patches after new flaws came to light. Users looking to continue using the service can do so with a relative amount of security. Its updates have also fixed its most severe shortcomings, like data leakages.

As long as users ensure they update the software frequently, they can use Zoom without fear. That said, anyone discussing sensitive information should opt for an alternative. Apart from that, Zoom is mostly safe for casual users. While these services are convenient and helpful, they come with added security concerns. Employees and students using software like Zoom should take care to remain safe. Securing video-conferencing software can be challenging, so one should expect some security shortcomings.

As these issues become more prevalent, though, Zoom and similar services are taking more steps to increase cybersecurity. Devin Partida writes about apps, software and other technologies.

She is the Editor-and-Chief of ReHack. Let us help make your event a success. The premier source for computing research. Visit our Jobs Board. Steps Toward Protection Not all Zoom news is about newfound flaws within its cybersecurity systems.

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