Zoom, the hugely popular video-conferencing app, has made a number of changes to improve its privacy and security systems. The app surged in popularity in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. People were using it to conduct meetings from home, take lectures, etc.
Zoom Had Issues With Strangers Crashing Meetings
However, users spotted a growing number of issues. One of these was that anyone could join a particular meeting, and anyone in the chat could use their microphone, or even share their screens.
This lead to a phenomenon called “Zoombombing”, where users would crash video conferences and broadcast shocking videos, such as porn. All the new measures that Zoom has taken with their Zoom 5.0 update are aimed at tackling these issues.
Zoom Update 5.0 Adds Tons Of New Features
Now, instead of the host having to scramble through the meeting menu for basic options, they can simply go to the security icon. Here they have access to various important options, such as muting users, removing them from meetings, etc.
This new update also makes Waiting Rooms and Meeting Passwords on by default. Waiting Rooms help manage the flow of users into a meeting. Hosts can select whom to allow in and whom to disallow. Meeting Passwords also serve a similar function of filtering users.
These features were already available on the platform, but Basic, single-license Pro, and K-12 customers don’t have to turn it on themselves.
Admins on business, enterprise and education plans have access to a more robust interface, too. They now have access to more data, such as how their meetings are connecting to Zoom’s data centres.
Robust host controls, cloud recording passwords, secure account contact sharing and many other enhancements are also part of this update.
Zoom’s Leadership Is Proud Of These Improvements
Many of Zoom’s higher-ups also had a lot to say about this update. Zoom CEO Eric S. Yuan said, “I am proud to reach this step in our 90-day plan, but this is just the beginning. We built our business by delivering happiness to our customers. We will earn our customers’ trust and deliver them happiness with our unwavering focus on providing the most secure platform.”
Zoom CPO Oded Gal also spoke about the security enhancements that they have made. “From our network to our feature set to our user experience, everything is being put through rigorous scrutiny. On the back end, AES 256-bit GCM encryption will raise the bar for securing our users’ data in transit,” said Gal.
You can read their full statement about this update here.
