Zoom isn't safe to use; Know why?

-Shivani Shinde 

 

 

Since the rolling wave of novel coronavirus has ramped up all over the globe, one-third of the world’s population has undergone complete lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19. The lockdown has driven huge swaths of the working population to become remote workers, many of them are performing WFH for the first time. The sudden surge in employees, students, teachers, and many other professionals working from home is driving a huge increase in demand for video conferencing apps like zoom.

 

 

'Zoom' has come up like a blessing for all those peoples. Zoom has enjoyed a surge in usage since the virus outbreak began, as millions of people use it to stay connected while isolating themselves. Not just people, but governments too took to the video platform. Zoom is now being used by millions for work and social gatherings, but it’s also highlighted multiple security and privacy issues. And Zoom might not be the best choice for the privacy-conscious user.

 

A recent report on the Zoom app reveals that the hackers of the social platform are selling user data online on the Dark web for ₹23 lakhs. The exploits that are being sold include webcam data, microphone, and all the incorporated data in between. such as passwords, emails, and device information. The vulnerabilities of the video app have led to this major privacy issue for its users.

 

The social platforms are also being blamed for selling their user data to Facebook without the user's consent. The motherboard also reported that Zoom was sending its users habits to Facebook, whether the user had a Facebook account or not. When the Zoom app is opened on iOS mobile, this app lets Facebook know about the device model, the carrier they opened the Zoom app with and many more user details. Zoom eventually removed the code, but not before a class-action lawsuit was filed or New York’s attorney general opened an investigation. The company was hit with at least two lawsuits in federal court, one by a California resident who alleges Zoom violated the state’s new Consumer Privacy Act by disclosing information to Facebook without providing consumers with adequate notice or the ability to opt-out.

 

 

Zoom-bombing “Zoom- bombing” is when uninvited participants interrupt or derail a meeting. Many people proudly displayed their meetings or chats with friends via social media. But sadly, it’s a major risk to display your Meeting ID, because it can allow uninvited guests to crash the chat. Zoom-bombing can happen to anyone.

 

 

Zoom marketed its communications as protected by end-to-end encryption, which makes it, in effect, impossible for anyone, including the company itself, to spy on them. Recently, however, the Intercept revealed Zoom has been using a different type of encryption, called transport encryption, which enables the company to decode the content of calls. Shocking fact Zoom doesn’t require an account, it’s free for 40-minute meetings, and it’s reliable. so anyone can hack the meeting. Users can join a Zoom video call without downloading the app.

 

 

Taiwan and Germany have already curbed the use of Zoom, while Google banned the desktop version from corporate laptops this month. Zoom also remains easy to use, reliable and convenient, but some of its claims have given its users a false sense of security and privacy—something every user deserves. While Zoom has made it easier for everyone to stay in contact during this health crisis, it carries the same burden as any technology that can access user information—it should be used at our own risk.