Shutterstock
While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in lifestyle, one of the biggest shifts has been working from home. People who would normally be at work in offices are now signing in to their work servers from their home computers. This has, surprisingly, increased the need for cloud services security.
The reason? Hackers are working to perfect disruptions to Zoom and other teleconference meetings.
The practice, known to some as “Zoom bombing,” has illustrated the need for tighter security on teleconferences. The FBI has encouraged people to report these incidents when they occur and to keep some important security tips in mind.
Zoom bombing is a practice where hackers or other malicious actors online tap into a teleconference with the intent of disrupting the meeting. Some share pornographic images over the conference, while others may shout racial slurs or even personal information about meeting attendees.
These practices are more than just disruptive: they can cause serious distress to some attendees. However, there are some practices that the FBI recommends meeting hosts to undertake to keep their teleconferences safe.
The first step to take is to make sure that the conference is set to private, not public. Rather than allowing anyone to join, make sure the conference either requires a password in order to join or use the waiting room feature to approve guests. This will help weed out the most passive of intruders.
Similarly, make sure you’re not sharing the information about the meeting on social media. Make sure you share the relevant information only with those who are meant to attend. This goes double for the password to enter the room, if you opt to use a password.
Another way to avoid any potentially problematic events is to set screen-sharing to “host-only.” This prevents malicious actors from sharing upsetting imagery over the conference. Additionally, make sure everyone is using up-to-date Zoom clients. The most recent Zoom updates include numerous security features that make it harder for hackers to slip into conferences.
Additionally, make sure you inform all potential members of a meeting of your organization’s guidelines for security. In the modern era, information security is as important as physical security. Do not hesitate to report any incidents of malicious hacking activity to the FBI or other law enforcement organizations.
Remember, above all, be safe, and use common sense when organizing teleconference meetings.
