Tips to Help Avoid Zoom Bombing

Contributed by Sam Houston, Learning Technology Administrator

Zoom bombing refers to the unauthorized intrusion into a Zoom virtual meeting by an individual or group with the intent to disrupt the session. This can take many forms, such as using vulgar or offensive language, displaying explicit or disturbing images, and hijacking the screen to share inappropriate content. In some cases, zoom bombers might also use the opportunity to steal sensitive information, such as passwords.

Zoom bombing has become a growing concern as the use of Zoom, and other video conferencing platforms has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for virtual classes and meetings. The ease of accessing Zoom meetings and the lack of security measures have made it easier for attackers to disrupt these sessions. To protect against zoom bombing, it is important to take the necessary steps to secure your Zoom meetings, such as using passwords, waiting rooms, and enabling controls for screen sharing and file transfers.

To access Zoom in a browser window and set up a meeting, first log into https://go.uhcl.edu, then click the Zoom tile. Below are some tips to help prevent Zoom bombing in your meetings – settings can be implemented during the meeting creation process and during the meeting.

• Use a Waiting Room: This feature allows you to control who can join your meeting and ensures that only authorized participants enter. Note: In UHCL’s Zoom settings, the waiting room is selected by default. To avoid unwanted users joining your meeting, please do not disable the waiting room. Instead, designate someone to join your meeting simply to monitor the waiting room and to let invited participants into the meeting.
• Enable Passcode: Requiring a passcode to join a meeting adds an extra layer of security. Make sure to share the passcode only with those who need it – Zoom automatically creates a passcode. Note: In UHCL’s Zoom settings, the passcode is selected by default. If you share the invite link, the passcode is in the link, so anyone with the link will be able to join the meeting. Make sure to send the invite link only to those users you want to join your meeting. Alternatively, share the meeting ID and passcode with those users you want to join your meeting. Below is a screenshot of what the Passcode and Waiting Room settings look like when you set up a meeting in Zoom. To prevent unwanted users, please leave both boxes checked when creating a meeting!
  

• Meeting ID Automatic Generation: Instead of using your Personal Meeting ID for meetings, allow Zoom to generate an automatic meeting ID. This will prevent users from attempting to join your personal meeting at any time outside of a scheduled meeting.
  

• Enable Screen Sharing Controls: You can control who can share their screen during a meeting. In a browser window, log into https://go.uhcl.edu and click the Zoom Tile. Go to Settings > In Meeting (Advanced) > Screen Sharing and select "Host Only" to prevent unauthorized screen sharing. Additionally, the “Share Screen” settings can be edited during a meeting. At the bottom of the Zoom screen, click the up-arrow next to Share Screen > Click Advanced Sharing Options.

• Disable File Transfer: Zoom allows you to disable the file transfer feature in settings, which can prevent the sharing of inappropriate or malicious files.

• Use the Remove a Participant Feature or Report a User Feature: If someone starts to cause problems in your meeting, you can remove them by clicking “Remove” or "Report” from the Participants screen. To remove or report a participant, click the three dots next to their name in the Participants list and click Remove or Report and follow the popup prompts (Please see the screenshots below).

• Educate Your Participants: Let your participants know the rules of the meeting and what is expected of them! Encourage them to report any disruptive behavior.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your Zoom meetings are secure and free from disruptive behavior.

If you have any questions about the above information, please feel free to contact the OIT Support Center at either 281-283-2828 or supportcenter@uhcl.edu, and a member of our team will be in touch to assist!