ZOOM Video Conference - A Nightmare To Your Privacy?

ZOOM video calling app is one of the most trending topic nowadays by placing itseld almost inside every household. The Zoom application has seriously been trying to improve user experience on their platform on recent times.

Well, it is almost one and a half month we are locked inside our premises and experiencing something what we have not got before. Though social media platforms like facebook, WhatsApp are saving our ass big time but it is not always meeting our goals. Many institution and organizations has decided to keep their work going on to a possible extent and thereby arranging video calls or conferences via third party applications. One of the applications out of those have risen up by stature is known as ZOOM. Let us talk about it's statistics and shortcomings from all perspectives possible.

What is ZOOM?

Since the coronavirus started enhancing it's roots, the small electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, computers or laptops have become the only way to get rid of the immense boredom that was to follow. The small 2-4 inches sized lens of the front cameras has been the mighty saviours for being connected with the outside world ( which is also locked inside, not used ironically obviously). Through this tiny lens we see the ambient background of life: people working in kitchens, bedrooms or spare rooms, the hoarded detritus of life piled behind them. 

Now coming to our main issue of concern of this article, an application which was never used to a reasonable amount before, has suddenly gained the market and came into the spotlight. Certain study says, before the Corona Virus Pandemic, it was used by 4% of Google users. Recently, it has been discovered that the number has gone drastically to 53%. But as perfectly Said, the spotlight on you reveals your Darker side also.

In many ways this is not only surprising but also overwhelming. Obviously, the developers won't file an report surely. Yet to most extent, Zoom has become only option for video conferencing. Everywhere you see, you can notice people conferencing, presenting meets with ZOOM app.

Image Source : Google Credits: commons.multimedia.or

What is the issue with Zoom App?

The issue with this app is it's mixed behavioural properties. Sometimes ( read most of the times ), to my surprise, it doesn't ask for any password or otp to join a meeting. That means, just a one small click or putting a small random number, anyone can be present in anyone's meeting ,whether it is confidential or not. That is, a big question arises in Privacy terms of people and security issues.

Jim Mercer who worked at GoWebinar said in a meeting about Zoom - "One click and we all are in". The whole Hall elapsed and clapped and also wondered "Can it be That much simple, what?" This question prompted zoom to look into their security issues instantly. Yes, Zoom was up to the safe mark till January, but not for too long. Cyber specialist Leutsche discovered that Zoom secretly installed software for bypassing their security conflicts so that the interface become more and more simple. And with that it became a soft Target for cyber attacks and phishing. You can't imagine that hackers can join your private meetings and track your off-app activities without your knowing because a host can't track a participant's IP address to check if he is authentic or not and that is also neglected in most of the cases too.

Although Zoom has denied most of the security cases on their part, still there remains a lot of questions. Most of the reputed business and Enterprise firms has strictly banned the use of it. A reputed company has brought notice of penalty for it's employees who has zoom application installed in their phone. Apple recently have deployed an anti-malware patch to the all software versions of Mac. There has not been any such example of such companies going against such a poular application. Adding salt to the injuries, it is being questioned how Google Play Protect has marked it "Safe" after all. Although the website claims in it's own way that Zoom supports end-to-end encryption.

image : Google credits : common.wikimedia.org

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How to Fix it?

No one in then scenario expected Zoom to do exotic. The competition was at the highest level. When Zoom launched, investors were skeptical, “It would require flawless execution,” said one of the officials. Eric Yuan, who is founder of the Zoom app, once worked in WEBEX. Later when Cisco acquired it, Yuan was made the Engineering Head. But later on, Yuan opted out of it stating that the final stage development had multiple bugs.

Well, what happened till is past and what is going to happen is in your control. Things you can do to keep your privacy retained( by whatever amount ) is stated in the followings -

-> Immediately Sign Out from the app, you can do it from the "profile" section.

-> You may Terminate Account if possible To do this, you need to go to it's web version( if you are a mobile user ).

Possible Way Outs

Now the question arises, what are possible way outs? Due to the rule of nature, the needs of human being doesn't remain suppressed due to decrease in quantity or quality of supply and that is also the case here. Several other applications have been able to pounce on this vacancy, below are few of them.

1. SKYPE MEET NOW

Skype has been one of the most trusted video chatting and conferencing platforms since the beta was released in 2003. Its Meet Now feature (which is accessed by choosing the “Meet Now” button on the left side of the app) allows videoconferencing.

image courtesy : Google

2. CISCO WEBEX

WebEx is also another video calling app that has it's existence from late 90's. In 2007, it was acquired by Cisco giving it better producy and credibility.

image courtesy : Google

3. GOOGLE MEET

Google Meet was one of the paid app for video calls for official and personal purpose. Recently, in a amendment, it made the app free for all Google users making it place itself in top charts in this category.

image courtesy : Google

4. STARLEAF

Naturally, it is not so poular in the region of personal requirements as it is a platform for only the large companies or associations.

5. WHEREBY

Whereby’s free version is rather limited compared to above stated apps; it gives you the use of a single meeting room with up to four participants, with permission to host for locking meeting rooms after the conditions is met.

Now that you are all aware of the security threats the application possess, you should choose the better and convenient alternative amongst the above. Choose any one, install it on your device and communicate and express yourself to the outside world, let yourself not fall behind by even inches.

Author - Sourav Majumder.

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