Is it safe to use the Zoom App for video conferencing?

Nowadays, the Zoom app is being used for online conferences, and it has become popular among teachers, students, and employees. During the lockdown period, people are now working from home, and students do their studies while sitting at home on the Zoom app. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a warning about the Zoom app stating that the app currently used by many people is not safe. They also pointed out that the app has some weaknesses which make users vulnerable to cyber-attack, including leakage of sensitive office information to criminals. In Zoom app news that was issued, the advisory stated that the Zoom app to be used securely for meetings, it was to be used solely for private use and not for state and government functions.

In the provided safety guidelines given to users, the MHA’s division of Cyber Coordination Center (CCC) revealed that “those people use Zoom app for personal use” should follow specific measures that include preventing entry that is not authorized in the conferencing room and individuals who are not authorized can perform harmful acts on other user’s terminals. Other measures would include avoiding attacks on DOS by installing access grants and passwords for users.

Mostly, adjustments can be performed by signing in to the Zoom account of a user through the website or the Zoom App via their phone, laptop, or desktop. Ministry of home affairs stated that the Zoom application had weak systems, which is why it was not advisable to use the app for official uses, as is can phish user data during meetings. Security measures are being installed into the system for privacy. There are a few steps that a user is required to take if you want to keep your data with security and privacy. In most cases, the steps also make most of the new tools which the Zoom app has revealed for users to adapt by themselves.

 On 13^th April, the government also issued an advisory to all central government officers cautioning them against using third-party software and apps. It is also said that this app is not for use by government officers for official purposes. It also suggested private users on how to avoid issues such as “Zoom-bombing” – when non-invited guests join the video call, even to harass users.

Zoom-bombing incidents have been showing in Indian classrooms according to local media. The New York school system has banned Zoom-based security concerns. The Zoom app needs to make improvements to its application as security concerns. Security measures are essential in every application for privacy.