Zoom security problems have recently thrown some cold water on one of the hottest apps in the world. Millions still rely on Zoom, but now, nobody seems sure about how much faith they should put into the service.
That being the case, we’ve decided to look at some of the more notable Zoom security problems out there. If these problems scare you off the virtual meeting app, then we’ve also gathered instructions on how to delete your Zoom account and use a popular Zoom alternative instead.
Zoom Security Problems
You may have heard of some recent Zoom security problems that severely impacted user trust in the service. Here are some of the main Zoom security problems that have been discovered thus far.
Recorded Video Vulnerabilities
Hackers discovered a few Zoom security problems with the service’s recorded video options.
The first, and most significant, is that it was previously possible to hack into the Zoom cloud and download recorded videos. While not an easy process, a relatively experienced hacker could do this without too many problems. On top of that, it turns out that recorded Zoom meetings can linger on the cloud even after they’ve been deleted by the user.
Zoom has addressed this issue somewhat by enabling increased password protection by default. However, older recordings could still be vulnerable. Furthermore, general concerns remain regarding the security of the Zoom cloud.
Zoombombing
It’s possible for your Zoom call to be hijacked via a process known as Zoombombing. Basically, that means that someone could force their way into your Zoom conversation or account.
There is some debate regarding how widespread this problem is, but it’s been suggested that this Zoom security issue hasn’t yet been properly addressed. As such, it remains a top Zoom security concern.
User Data Sharing
Zoom has been called out over their previously generous data sharing policies. Basically, Zoom had a somewhat relaxed policy as it concerns sharing user data via Facebook and other social media outlets.
While Zoom has indicated that they are working to address this issue and better protect user information, some are still worried about the company’s policies and history with this matter.
Other Zoom security issues do exist, but these are the ones that are currently drawing the most attention and concerns. Basically, there are many who feel that Zoom is an inherently vulnerable platform with a shaky history of protecting user information.
Is Zoom Still Safe to Use?
This is a somewhat complicated question.
First off, it’s a matter of public record that Zoom recently suffered through significant security problems. We know that there are inherent problems with the service, and that’s always something that should be a cause of some concern.
However, Zoom has taken steps to ensure that its existing issues have been fixed. That’s great, and some are arguing that Zoom’s response to these problems are indicative of their intent to stay on top of such problems in the future. They’ve said that Zoom could eventually become the safest of such platforms because they’ve had so many early problems.
Whether you believe that is really a matter of your faith in the company, but the logic is sound. At the very least, Zoom doesn’t seem to be noticeably less secure than some of the major alternatives out there.
How to Delete Zoom Account
If you’re simply looking to delete your Zoom account, the process is fairly simple. Just follow these steps.
- Sign in to your Zoom account web portal
- Navigate to Account Management > Account Profile
- Choose “Terminate My Account”
- Select “Yes” when asked for account deletion confirmation.
After you’ve finished the final step, you can safely delete the Zoom app from your device. This can be done via the usual methods of deleting an app. If you’re unfamiliar with that process, you simply need to hold the Zoom icon on your device and wait for the “Delete App” option to appear.
Just remember that simply deleting the app from your device will not delete your account. If you do not delete your account first, your information will remain active with Zoom.
How to Deactivate a Zoom User
Deleting your own account is easy enough, but what if you want to remove someone else’s Zoom access?
There are various reasons you may need to remove someone from your Zoom account. For instance, you may have gotten accounts for your employees and a member is no longer with the company. Whatever the case, the steps to remove someone remains the same:
- Sign in to the Zoom account web portal
- Choose the User Management option and then go to Users
- Look for the user you want to remove
- Choose the ellipses icon next to their name and select the Deactivate option.
It’s worth noting that you can easily reactivate a user account by following the same steps listed above but choose Activate instead of Deactivate.
How to Secure Your Zoom Account
There are a few basic steps you can follow to better protect your Zoom account. While none of them offer 100% security, they may all help in the long run.
- Never share your meeting ID unless you have to. Even then, only share it via the most secure channels.
- Always generate a random meeting ID rather than manually setting one.
- Enable the waiting room feature to ensure you know who you are inviting to a meeting. For more information on how to enable this Zoom security feature, please consult this guide.
- Use Zoom settings to ensure that you’re the only one who can screen share during a meeting. Please note there may be times when this is not an option.
- From the Manage Participants menu, it’s actually possible to lock your meeting. This is a fantastic Zoom security option if you’re sure nobody else needs to join.
- Do not record your meetings unless absolutely necessary. This is an easy way to protect yourself against notable security issues.
- Remove, report, and block any problematic users. This is an effective way to stay on top of problems as they appear.
Zoom Alternatives
We’d discussed some of the best Zoom alternatives right here. However, if you’d like a quick breakdown of what is out there, here are some of the best options available.
GoToMeeting
GoToMeeting is a professional, established, and generally secure virtual meeting option. While it lacks some of Zoom’s fun features, it certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to professional meeting options.
FaceTime
FaceTime is not the best “full feature” virtual meeting app out there. What it is, though, is an accessible, easy-to-use, and generally reliable way to hold a virtual call. If you don’t need much more than that, then it may offer everything that you’re looking for.
Slack
As we’ve said before, there is a good chance you’re already using Slack in your office. If that’s the case, then that also means you have access to its virtual meeting options. While said options are not as expansive as those offered by Zoom and other services, Slack is still one of the easiest ways to jump into a meeting with your co-workers.
Cisco WebEx
We’d be lying if we told you that Cisco is as “fun’ as Zoom. However, when it comes to security and professionalism, this is one of the most reliable options in this expanding marketplace. There’s certainly not much to complain about when it comes to this app’s ability to effectively host virtual meetings.
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