Video conference calls have been getting hacked or what they call Zoom Bombing.
According to the AP, in the latest incident a teen was charged with computer crimes for crashing a Connecticut online class and displaying obscene gesture and language.
Adam Dean is a security specialist at Grey Castle Security in Troy.
“Nobody was ready to have remote classes and they haven’t thought about putting these security measures in place and that’s why you are seeing a lot of vulnerabilities come up,” said Dean.
Dean says that cyber-attacks like these are not limited to just Zoom.
“This is Google, Web, Skype, really any video conferencing tools,” added Dean.
But Dean says there are steps you can take to limit interruptions from unwanted guest on any video conferencing software. First, you can create a virtual waiting room.
“That’s how you’re going to stop a lot of these things from happening because the host, let’s say it’s the teacher, will know who’s on the roster and if someone tries to join that’s not part of the class, the host can deny access,” explained Dean.
Next, he says you should create a specific password rather than using the provided random ID.
“90 to 95 percent of these compromises that we are seeing are from people giving out the online ID,” said Dean.
Lastly, Dean says always be vigilant when online, if something looks fishy do not join.
“Looking at what websites you’re going to, looking at what you’re clicking on and making sure everything is legitimate,” said Dean.