Questions about Zoom and dealing with problems

A number of security and privacy problems have been found in Zoom recently [April 2020].

However …

Zoom is safe to use for …

If you’re simply talking with friends and family, Zoom is fine to use. Even running work related meetings where nothing confidential will be discussed would be okay.

So, I use it to discuss web site or database design with clients. To hold online discussion groups. Our local Extinction Rebellion coordinating group meetings.

Zoom is NOT safe for …

Companies looking for a video sharing system for formal company business (when confidential information may easily be discussed, shared or viewed), should use something with a high level of security. Something that Zoom does not have.

If I had to view any confidential client/customer information they hold, I use something more secure.

If you do need something more secure, see the link below or Google something like ‘zoom secure alternatives’ (and check for relatively up to date articles).

Zoom bombing

This is when uninvited people join a meeting and disrupt it with unwanted and sometimes unpleasant messages and images.

This is VERY unlikely to happen to you. People doing this tend to target high profile meetings, companies etc.

But you can help prevent this by using a password …

Passwords

It is best to use a password for any meeting you set up. Passwords are now turned on by default for new meetings. This will keep casual eavesdroppers  and “zoom bombers” out.

Note: Meeting hosts can still turn the password off before they set up or invite people to a meeting.

Some more reading

Help from Zoom – keeping uninvited guests out

Help from Zoom – passwords and how to control them

Guardian – alternatives to Zoom for sensitive/secure meetings

If you don’t have much time to help them do this first …

• Suggest they leave the meeting and re-join

Otherwise ask them to check the following …

• That the sound on their device (not related to Zoom) is turned up
• If they have headphones plugged in, but aren’t listening to them
• (If they haven’t already) suggest they leave the meeting and then re-join

If none of these fix the problem ask them to …

• In the Zoom window, click on the little up arrow next to their microphone symbol – and check the correct speaker is selected (they may well only have one – in which case nothing to check)
• In that same list, click on ‘Audio settings’ and use the ‘Test speaker’ feature

If none of these work get them to dial in using a phone …

• They keep their connection, so people can see them via their video and they can see the event.
• They press Mute (to avoid everyone hearing them via the computer AND the phone)
• But they ALSO join the meeting using a phone and use that for listening and speaking

If they don’t have a phone number to call into the meeting …

• Click on ‘Participants’
• At the bottom of that list, click ‘Invite’
• Click ‘Copy Invitation’ (this includes phone numbers to use)
• Paste this
  • either into an Email to them
  • into a document and read out the number to them or copy and paste the number into Chat