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As more companies and organizations begin using Zoom and other teleconferencing software for online collaboration due to increased activity in working and studying remotely, the FBI has received multiple reports of conferences being disrupted by pornographic and/or hate images and threatening language.

If you are using Zoom for instruction, here are some steps you can take to mitigate disruptions:

  • Do not make meetings or classrooms public: Zoom can require a password or the use of a waiting room feature to control admittance. For UCF meetings, both options are on by default.
  • When possible use a random meeting ID when scheduling. Do not share a personal ID link to a meeting or classroom on publicly available social media; instead, provide meeting links to specific people.
  • Ensure screensharing is set to “Host Only” under Zoom’s Advanced Features. This should be on by default.
  • Make sure you, and those in your meeting, are running the latest version of the Zoom client to benefit from the latest security updates.  To manually update your client, click your profile picture after logging in and select “Check for Updates.”

To learn about other features available in Zoom to secure your meetings, please see https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/03/27/best-practices-for-securing-your-virtual-classroom/ .

There are alternatives to Zoom, such as Teams and Skype, that are supported by UCF IT.  Learn more here:  https://ucf.service-now.com/ucfit?id=kb_article&sys_id=980b09b31bbf84145cd6b912cd4bcb69 .

For more information, please refer to the FBI release: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/press-releases/fbi-warns-of-teleconferencing-and-online-classroom-hijacking-during-covid-19-pandemic .

If you have experienced an intentional disruption of your Zoom meeting, please notify the Security Incident Response Team at SIRT@ucf.edu .

If you have any questions, please contact the Information Security Office at infosec@ucf.edu .