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Video calling has become ubiquitous, with tools like Zoom,
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Webex and Microsoft Teams now embedded
in our work, school and healthcare.
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But the convenience comes with risks
if proper security isn’t implemented.
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In this solo episode, I’ll be providing
tangible steps you can take to keep your
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sensitive virtual meetings safe from
intrusions, data theft and phishing.
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I’ll cover preventing disruptions,
limiting content sharing, managing
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privacy settings, protecting meeting
links, software updates and more.
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If you want to confidently
host secure video conferences,
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this episode is for you!
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Let’s dive in.
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The COVID pandemic drove a massive
explosion in video conferencing usage
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as it became essential for remote work,
learning, telehealth and staying in touch.
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But early on, the rush to adopt
convenient video apps led to infamous
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security issues like “zoombombing” and
rampant data sharing with Facebook.
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While platforms have strengthened
protections, risks remain if users don’t
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properly configure security settings.
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Malicious actors can still gain
access to meetings, compromise
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sensitive screens and files, and
leverage video tools for phishing.
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It’s crucial to understand how
to prevent disruptions, maintain
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privacy, and keep video calls safe.
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I’ll start with tips to avoid
potentially embarrassing or
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harmful video call disruptions.
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If you’re hosting public events
or meetings, enable waiting rooms
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so you can vet attendees before
allowing them to join a call.
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Disable the ability for
participants to rename themselves
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to prevent impersonation.
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Mute all attendees on
entry to manage noise.
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And make sure you as host can
mute or remove any disruptive
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participant if issues emerge.
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For sensitive meetings, confirm all
invited guests have joined a call
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then lock the room to prevent any
subsequent attendees from barging in.
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Monitor shared screens and
disable participants’ ability
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to share when not required.
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Disable file transfer and chat functions,
or restrict chat to host only if
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needed to prevent content compromise.
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Taking these steps allows controlling
your meeting space and quickly
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addressing any participant misbehavior.
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You maintain the power
to minimize disruptions.
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Next I’ll cover privacy tips
for your video settings.
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Be thoughtful about your call backgrounds
and staging to avoid revealing
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sensitive personal details on camera.
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Use virtual backgrounds if your
environment could expose whiteboards
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or screens with private info.
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Disable your video unless required to
limit visibility into homes or offices.
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Position cameras to only show your face,
not messy rooms or paperwork on desks.
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Before screensharing, close
unneeded docs and browser tabs
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containing personal details.
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Double check for sensitive open
windows that could be glimpsed.
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Also confirm screen recordings
are disabled to prevent capturing
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and distribution of private call
footage if activated accidentally.
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Managing what you visibly expose through
conscious video settings gives you
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crucial control over sensitive data.
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I also recommend protecting
meeting access using settings like
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auto-generated meeting IDs instead
of personal links on recurring calls.
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Require meeting passwords and only
share with invited participants
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rather than posting publicly.
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Generate new IDs and passwords
periodically to thwart
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access by past participants.
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Waiting rooms are also useful for
vetting attendees before entry.
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Configure meetings to start with
attendee video off and microphones
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muted so inappropriate content
isn’t suddenly broadcasted.
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Limiting meeting access prevents uninvited
“guests” from hijacking sessions.
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Of course you also want to
prevent vulnerabilities from
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your video apps themselves.
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Ensure your versions are updated
promptly as vendors patch security flaws.
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Disable integrated third-party
tools if not required, as
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these can introduce risks.
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Review permission settings and don’t
authorize unnecessary data access by
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apps that could expose meeting contents.
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Proactively hardening video software
protects against technical exploits
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that could allow meeting infiltrations.
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Lastly, take extra precautions
when connecting from public WiFi.
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Consider using your phone’s
cellular data instead to prevent
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open network eavesdropping.
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If you must use public WiFi, enable
a VPN to encrypt the connection.
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Securing the network used for
conferencing is just as important
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as the apps themselves when it
comes to video call privacy.
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Those are the key areas to focus
on for enhancing video conference
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security from disruptions, content
leaks and technical attacks.
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Take the time to review settings
and lock things down before your
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next sensitive virtual meeting.
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The minor extra effort
provides serious protection.
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Secure video calls start with
informed, proactive users
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taking sensible precautions.
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Here's a summary of the video
call security tips covered in
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this Byte Sized Security episode:
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- Enable waiting rooms to vet attendees
before allowing them to join
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- Disable file transfers, chat, renaming
abilities to prevent content compromise
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- Use mute controls and host monitoring
capabilities to minimize disruptions
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- Manage virtual backgrounds and camera
angles to control sensitive visibility
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- Generate randomized meeting IDs and
require passwords to protect access
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- Limit third-party app permissions
and keep software updated
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- Consider using phone cellular data instead
of public WiFi to prevent eavesdropping
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- Position cameras to only show your face
and avoid exposing private environments
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- Check for sensitive open windows before
screensharing to prevent accidental leaks
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- Disable screen recordings to prevent
distribution of private meeting footage
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- Review meeting participant lists
frequently and lock rooms once
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all invited guests have joined
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- Disable attendee screen sharing
and file transfers if not required
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- Use chat functions cautiously and
disable or restrict if not needed
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- Ensure meetings start with attendee video
off and mics muted until host is ready
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I hope these tips give you a
blueprint for keeping your crucial
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video conferencing safe and private.
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That concludes this edition of Byte Sized
Security focused on video call security.
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Implement access controls,
manage your privacy settings,
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harden software protection,
and be cautious on public WiFi.
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Taking practical steps keeps your
virtual meetings free of disruptions,
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phishing risks and data theft.
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For more bite-sized cybersecurity lessons,
keep listening to Byte Sized Security.
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See you next time!
