FBI issues warning about Zoom meeting app; here’s how to protect yourself

Everyone is meeting on Zoom during the coronavirus pandemic.

The online video meeting platform is being used by businesses, schools and even for birthday parties.

But is the program meant to keep us connected safe to use?

Earlier this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation put out an alert warning people about the possibility of your meeting being hijacked.

Security expert Carrie Kerskie said that just like with anything, there are risks.

“You have to use it properly or you could end up in trouble,” she said.

The FBI’s warning is about potential vulnerabilities in the app, mainly that your meeting can be “Zoombombed” – joined by someone who wasn’t invited or an inappropriate video added.

Some people are posting screenshots of their meetings in real-time on social media, which lets anyone see their Zoom meeting number and opens the meeting up to uninvited people.

Zoom is taking appropriate steps to secure their app, and Kerskie has a few recommendations to safely continue using the app:

• Set up your meeting as private;
• Use passwords for participants;
• Make sure the host is notified when people join;
• Don’t show your meeting ID number on social media.

Zoom has yet to respond to requests for comment about the FBI’s warning.