Keep Safe While Using Zoom, Avoid Zoom-Bombing
Minnesota State enables new settings to protect your meetings
While we make the transition to working and learning remotely, Zoom has been a valuable tool to help keep faculty, staff, and students connected. We want to first assure you of the security of Zoom and also share important information on a new trend that cybercriminals have been engaging in.
Always Use Secure MinnState Zoom Login
Minnesota State University, Mankato provides the premium version of Zoom free for all faculty, staff, and students. Always use our secure login portal, minnstate.zoom.us, to ensure that your data is safe. Your account is already set up, just log in with your StarID and StarID password.
Do not use the free version of Zoom as it could pose potential security threats.
New “Zoom-Bomber” Trend
With the uptick in Zoom meetings all around the world due to COVID-19, a new trend called “Zoom-bombing” has started disrupting some users’ calls. This occurs when uninvited participants join a meeting with the intention to disrupt it.
How Can I Avoid "Zoom-Bombing"?
- Consider using a generically created meeting ID, not your personal meeting ID (this can be done in the schedule meetings option)
- Allow only authenticated users to join your meeting
- Use meeting passwords for your meetings.
- If using a password for a class, you can share the password in D2L with your class.
What Minnesota State is Doing to Protect Users
Beginning April 1, 2020, the default for any newly created Zoom meetings at minnstate.zoom.us will have these two features enabled by default to ensure security in meetings:
- Waiting Rooms Enabled for Guest Accounts
- Only Hosts Can Share (Hosts can grant this permission to participants)
While these new settings shouldn't interrupt your meetings, your meeting participants may now be asked to wait until the host joins the meeting, or they may see another new screen.
