Zoom Security

Zoom-bombing or Zoom-raiding is a form of attack or intrusion into a public Zoom-based virtual meeting. The intrusions can come in many forms, including pornography, hate speech, threats, sexual harassment, and other inappropriate content.

If you prefer, here's a handout that's easier to print Links to an external site..

Shutting Down a Zoom Bomber

Familiarize yourself with these controls so you will know what to do if a hacker joins your Zoom meeting. 

  1. Click the Security button in your control panel.  
  2. Select Suspend Participant Activities.

That's it! 

NOTE -  make sure you have the latest Zoom update if you don't see this option.

 

Preventing Uninvited Guests

OPTION 1: Waiting Room

In response to continued concerns about Zoombombing, we recommend Zoom’s Waiting Room feature Links to an external site.. This enables you to screen participants before you admit them to your meeting. It appears that most Zoombombers are receiving access information from enrolled students Links to an external site., which means a password would not stop those intruders. The Waiting Room will help you prevent any unwanted participation.  Here's how:

  1. If you are in a meeting, use the Security Options to enable a waiting room. 

    Zoom Security Tools

    NOTE:  You can also change settings for all meetings.  (Sign in to ConferZoom.org, choose Settings on the left, and then select In-Meeting (Advanced) and scroll to Waiting room. Select All participants and customize waiting room title and description.)
  2. Ask your students to use their full names when joining the meeting so that you can identify them.
  3. In the meeting, use the Manage Participants button in the Zoom toolbar to open the Participants window. 
  4. Admit attendees individually using the Admit button. 

For more details and tips, see the Zoom Waiting Room Instructions for Mira Costa Faculty Links to an external site. by Jim Julius.

Optionally, if you have a large meeting planned, it is possible to allow your attendees with GCCCD domain email addresses to bypass the waiting room. 

  1. Go to Settings, Waiting Room Options, click on the Edit Options link.
  2. Under "Who should go in the waiting room?", select the "Users who are not in your account and not part of the allowed domains" radio button.
  3. Enter in the following line: *.gcccd.edu

    Waiting Room Options   

  4. Then click Continue. That's all you need! Now, your domain attendees will go right into the meeting without you having to monitor the waiting room. Of course, if you have non-GCCCD attendees, you will still have to allow them in. 

 

OPTION 2:  ConferZoom in Canvas

Use the ConferZoom app within Canvas to schedule meetings and direct students to the ConferZoom Join button.  This means students won't have a link to share and they have to sign in to join the meeting.  See our Zoom page for detailed instructions.  

 

Helpful Suggestions

  1. Share links securely.  If you schedule your meetings at ConferZoom.org, You can get a link on their Meetings page.  Don't post Zoom links on public spaces like your website or on social media.  Instead, share your meeting links in Canvas.  For help making a descriptive link, see How do I create hyperlinks to external URLs in the New Rich Content Editor as an instructor? Links to an external site.

  2. Use a Meeting Password. Passwords can prevent some unwanted guests.  Here’s how to use a password:
    1. Sign in to ConferZoom.org, choose Settings on the left, and turn on some or all of the "Require a password" options.
    2. Locate and securely share your password with students. This will vary based on the type of meeting and how you share the link; see Zoom’s Meeting and Webinar Passwords Links to an external site. article for details.

  3. Zoom Security Tools

    Control the Screen. 
    1. Use Settings at ConferZoom.org to turn off screen sharing for participants.  You can use the Security Options to turn them back on if needed.
    2. If you have Annotation enabled in your ConferZoom.org settings, that means attendees will be able to annotate on your shared screen at any time. To check, sign in to ConferZoom.org, Click Settings, and scroll to Annotation.

  4. Mute Participants.  Use settings at ConferZoom.org to mute participants on entry.  To mute and unmute participants during a meeting, access the controls from the Manage Participants button in the Zoom toolbar. There's a "Mute All" option at the bottom of the Participants panel.  Students can use the "Raise Hand" icon in the Participants panel.

  5. Keep your Personal Meeting ID Private.  If someone has your Personal Meeting ID they can connect any time.  Reserve this for meetings with colleagues.

 

Additional Resources

Please visit the ConferZoom Support Desk Links to an external site. for additional resources, or contact them at support@ccctechconnect.org with questions.

CCC Information Security Center best practices - Security Practices for Zoom Video Conferencing Links to an external site.

ConferZoom Documents: