Zoom and security of files

[lsemmens]

It certainly does make connecting with others in you group easy. I like the ease of use. I still turn off mic and cam in BIOS when I'm not using it though.

[decrepit]

I've just installed ubuntu mate 20.04 beta in virtual box, and installed zoom, lets me get a taste of the next mint release and shuts zoom out of the main OS

[Kissanminttu]

Thank you for all messages. I have now put passwords on my files.

I'd like to install virtual box but i dont't know which version is the right for cinnamon.

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

[Colson P]

We are thinking about using Zoom for our Lifelong Learners Institute (LLI). I have been testing for the past 2 days. A few negative news articles this week but most say you can avoid problems with two simple steps. The Host person should make Guests use a password and each Guest should have to wait in the 'waiting room' until admitted by the Host.

HTH

UPDATE: And a plus - Zoom is cross platform: M/S, MAC & Linux!

Don't forget that you can also install Zoom on Android and IOS phones.

[Colson P]

Thank you for all messages. I have now put passwords on my files.

I'd like to install virtual box but i dont't know which version is the right for cinnamon.

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Linux_Downloads

There is no "Cinnamon-specific" version of VirtualBox - it works on all flavors of the Linux desktop!

Also, make sure to enable Virtualization settings in your BIOS before using VirtualBox.
https://2nwiki.2n.cz/pages/viewpage.act ... d=75202968

[decrepit]

I tested last night in virtual box, but couldn't get sound. I didn't try to resolve this, so there may be a solution, I'll look for it later.

[murray]

Aren't the security concerns around Zoom that others can listen in on your chats and interrupt them? I haven't heard anything about outsiders using Zoom to gain access to your files.

[decrepit]

I tested last night in virtual box, but couldn't get sound. I didn't try to resolve this, so there may be a solution, I'll look for it later.

Seems to be working now, but there's 2 sets of volume controls. I turned the v-box one right up.

[DAMIEN1307]

Not something that i will be installing or use anytime soon...DAMIEN

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/0 ... f_privacy/

[decrepit]

Successfully joined my on line keep fit class, using zoom in a virtual box. I'd prefer not to load zoom, but it's what our keep fit class has transitioned to, now that we can't meet physically.

[BG405]

I'd never heard of it before I read this thread. Will have a look when they fix my broadband (hopefully by tomorrow at the latest!) as video calling is currently out of the question.

As for file security, the above suggestions re. sandboxing or a virtual machine should cover that and having password login is a great idea. My mate says a few of his can see our Skype feed, maybe this will be an alternative.

[Red Squirrel]

My church is starting to use it, instead of Youtube, which is annoying as I don't really want to install that crap on my main machine.

Going to try it in a VM and see if it works. Ideally I should probably put that VM on a different vlan to be safe.

I want to setup a Jitsi server and try to convince people to use that instead. Though it looks like it uses port 443 which I'm already using for something else so I need to look to see if it can be changed.

[BG405]

Well, broadband fixed earlier. So will check this program out sometime today when my mate is back online. And Jitsi, too. Will report on any results which might be of interest.

[GS3]

Google bans Zoom

https://thenextweb.com/security/2020/04 ... r-devices/

Google joins an already growing list of companies and organizations that has banned Zoom: SpaceX, New York City schools, the German health ministry, and the Taiwan government.

Zoom has been facing severe backlash after a plethora of privacy and security issues cropped up in the past month or so. Earlier this week, a shareholder in the US sued the company alleging that security concerns have caused a drop in its share prices.

[Red Squirrel]

Great to see high profile companies banning it. I hope this gets people's attention to stop using it even for personal use.

Most of the other alternatives aren’t any better though like Facebook Messenger is spyware to the max as well. My family always wants to use it and I hate having to install that on my phone.

Jitsi is the way to go but general public for whatever reason seem to be scared of open source stuff even when it's easy to use, which that one is.

[Petermint]

Installing Firejail is a good step. Wrap your Web browser in Firejail. When done the right way, it is safer than using just the Web browser alone.

You can use Zoom through a Web browser. Zoom work hard to hide the link in an attempt to force you into their application. Zoom disabled their Web browser version at one stage to cash in on the demand and infect more computers with their application.

I use Signal for one on ones. There are a dozen meeting applications that do more than Zoom. You can share files and to do lists, shopping lists, all the things you need to run an organisation. As an example, Atlassian Confluence is free for up to 10 users.

[ZakGordon]

'Singapore bans teachers using Zoom after hackers post obscene images on screens':

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/ ... on-screens

[MoreLinux]

Sorry, I make a stand for Zoom here.

Breaking into a Zoom meeting, the so called ZoomBombing, has has mostly to do with people sharing their Zoom Session ID's public and then having non of the standard security features Zoom provides activated. To stop ZoomBombing, Zoom has two prevention options available that most didn't activate.
1. Activate the waiting room, with this you stop non meeting members from barging in.
2. Activate the password feature, and don't sent the password with the Zoom meeting link email.

A new feature added with the latest update is a Security icon, with this you can easily secure your Zoom meeting as soon as all the participants are in.

- The hidden Webserver on Mac OS was already fixed last year, but the news channel keep mentioning this.
- The Windows UNC link issue is already fixed since 1. April.

The only remaining bad thing on all the different operating systems, is their interpretation of End-To-End encryption, but to me this isn't a big deal as I don't talk "top security" stuff with my Mom and Dad. For a government agency, yes this is something to think about, but for the average John Doe no problem at all.

Here is a good read on what is fixed and how 'bad' it really is: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/zoom-sec ... ivacy-woes

The other possible alternatives are not better in their usability, data grabbing and security.

[ZakGordon]

But still........

'Archers fan event invaded by <violates forum rules> and pornography':

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52243209

They were using Zoom.

[Moem]

The other possible alternatives are not better in their usability, data grabbing and security.

That's quite a statement. Care to back it up?