Is Zoom Protecting Your Sensitive Information

Since the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, many people have been forced to stay at home, either to practice self-distancing or in mandatory quarantine. While we may be living in the middle of a pandemic, work must go on, even if we're doing it from our living rooms. In comes the popular video conferencing app, Zoom. This easy-to-use app is currently being utilized by millions to host work meetings, interviews, virtual birthday parties, dinners, and more. While the user-friendly, free app may be one of the most popular during the pandemic to see familiar faces online, it does come with a slew of privacy and cybersecurity issues.

Zoom's Past Privacy Blunders:

Zoom is no stranger to privacy snafus and data breaches. You may be familiar with the term "Zoombombing," where cybercriminals and trolls hijacked user's web cameras and bombarded them with inappropriate materials during their videoconferences. Zoom's chief executive, Eric Yuan, has addressed the security concerns and has apologized for the application's recent problems. While the company has promised to fix their privacy and security issues, can we trust it? When a company fails to protect its user's privacy, more often than not, it does leave a bad taste in their customer's mouths. However, so many of us are relying on the software to comply with work orders, or keep up with family and friends during the coronavirus pandemic.

Should You Still Use Zoom?

We get it; in these difficult times, many of us don't have any better options than to continue to use Zoom. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your privacy remains protected while using the app.

• Zoom is safer on mobile devices:
Use the app on an iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone, rather than on a Mac or PC. Mobile apps that go through Apple's App Store and Google's Play store go through more rigorous review processes, including inspection for security flaws.


• Turn on Zoom security settings:
Be sure to create a meeting password to help prevent any unwanted visitors Zoombombing your video calls.


• Don't rely on Zoom to relay sensitive information:
Try to avoid using Zoom on work calls relating to any private or confidential matters.

If Privacy is Your Main Concern, Try an Alternative:

If Privacy is Your Main Concern, Try an Alternative: If your line of work can survive without video calls, stop using Zoom. With so many of us working from home now, likely you'll need to implement secure file transfer software. Trustwire is the most reliable way to send and receive files online. Use Trustwire to safely send data to your customers, employees, and colleagues.

If you require video conferences to complete your work, there are other video chatting tools available, with better reputations. Applications like Google's Hangouts, Cisco's Webex, and FaceTime for Apple devices are safer alternatives to Zoom. While they may not be as straightforward and easy to use, you can worry less about cybersecurity.

To learn more about how Trustwire can be a useful tool against ransomware attacks and other cybercrimes.