Recently, a large percentage of people have been using video conferencing applications in order to adapt to the new conditions brought about by the pandemic . However, it is difficult for users of such applications to ensure that their video calls remain secure and private. If you use video conferencing applications and want to limit the risk of unwanted visitors monitoring the video calls you make without your knowledge, there are some useful tips that you should follow. It is worth clarifying, however, that the settings for these safeguards differ from platform to platform, but many of the tips that you should follow are the same, regardless of the video conferencing application you use.
“Lock the door” to unwanted visitors Many video calls start with an invitation link , so be careful with your link. Don’t share it publicly on social media , in group email conversations , on online profiles, or anywhere else it could be tracked and stolen. Most video conferencing apps also give you the option to protect your calls with a password . Take advantage of this feature and be careful how you distribute your login details to people you invite to join a video call. Make sure the password you set doesn’t include any personal information, such as your last name. Instead, it should be complex, with details that are difficult for someone to guess. If you can lock your video calls, do so. The popular app Houseparty, for example, lets you lock chat rooms by tapping the lock icon once all guests have joined, while the more business-focused Zoom has a “Lock Meeting” option that does exactly the same job. Click “Manage Participants” and then “More” to find it.
Be careful what you share
You should always be careful about what you share online, and that includes what you say and do on video calls. Even if you think you’re with friends, you never know who might be recording your conversation or even showing up unexpectedly, so be careful about what information you reveal. Don’t share personal information unless absolutely necessary. Also, if you don’t want participants to peek at your shelves of family and friends photos or other personal items, move them somewhere out of sight or look for a helpful option in the app you’re using. Zoom, for example, has virtual backgrounds in its video settings, while Skype has a toggle that blurs everything behind you. Also be careful about file and screen sharing. Clear your browser tabs, close any spreadsheets that may contain data, such as your financial transactions, and hide any conversations you may be having with a coworker before sharing your desktop with multiple colleagues.
Learn the rules of video conferencing apps
You should know as much about an app as possible before using it, so research it first. Check if video calls can be recorded, look for details about how your account data might be used, and make sure you know who can join your calls and how. For example, on Zoom, if you download the conversation log that comes with a video call, it will also include any private conversations between people participating in the call. You should also know exactly where the data related to the video conferencing app is stored on your computer or phone, especially if you are dealing with confidential data. For example, Skype stores photos you have taken on your device unless you change this. Go to “Messaging” in “Settings” on Android or iOS to set the option.
Choose end-to-end encryption As with text chat apps, it’s a good idea to look for end-to-end encryption in the app’s tools. This means that no one else will be able to access your communications, even if a law enforcement agency brings a warrant to the developer’s office. Your video calls are completely locked down. Top video conferencing apps with end-to-end encryption include Google Duo , Apple ’s FaceTime , as well as Cisco’s more enterprise-focused Webex and GoToMeeting. There are also messaging apps with end-to-end encryption, such as WhatsApp and Signal. Video calling apps without end-to-end encryption, including Skype and Zoom, often lack this feature because they support a wider range of devices and connection standards that can’t be secured in the same way. This isn't necessarily a bad or unsafe approach, but it does mean you have to trust the company that runs the software.
Update your software
This is one of the security tips that you shouldn’t just apply to video conferencing apps. Keep your video conferencing apps, as well as the devices they run on, up-to-date if you want to have the best protection against any security holes. Security bugs and privacy exploits are more likely to appear in older versions of apps. Fortunately, keeping your apps and devices up-to-date is easy to do on all major platforms. Most of the time, you don’t need to do anything other than give your consent for an update to occur. If you have the time, also keep an eye on news about app updates, such as Zoom’s recently released security improvements that hide meeting IDs and enable passwords by default. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about an app’s various privacy and security features.
Turn on extra privacy features
In any app you use, it’s always worth looking into the settings to see if there’s anything that suits your needs. In Skype, for example, you can choose whether other users can find you by phone number or email address. There’s something similar in FaceTime. Open “Settings” on your iPhone or iPad, then tap “FaceTime” to control how other people can find you, either by phone number or email address. If you don’t want to contact someone, this can help. There’s also the “Knock Knock” feature in Google Duo, which shows your video feed to contacts when you call them, before they answer your call. If you’re not comfortable with this, tap the three dots in the top right corner in the main Duo app interface, then select “Settings” and “Knock Knock” to turn it off.
