'Zoom' taking action to prevent hackers

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The FBI is warning millions of Americans about "Zoom bombing."

Zoom video conference calls are becoming the new normal. Cybersecurity consultant Dave Hatter said business meetings, classes and even social gatherings are all happening on the platform.

“Because it's really simple to use, people don't really invest the time to understand how to lock it down. You can use it in a more secure fashion, but a lot of people don't understand that. They just turn it on and go,” said Hatter.

Reports of hackers disrupting meetings have left people on edge. "Zoom bombers" are posting pornographic pictures and hate language. It worries Madeline Duckworth, who teaches Irish dance classes to hundreds of kids.

“When we first heard about it, we sent an email. We said, 'This is what we're doing right now to change our security measures,'” said Duckworth.

Zoom Video Communications is taking action to fix its privacy and security issues. Hatter said there are essential steps that have to be taken before every call.

“Things like set up a waiting room so that before someone can just join your meeting, they have to go in a waiting room and the host can choose to allow them in the meeting,” he said.

Requiring a password and locking the room is crucial. It is a step the McGing Irish Dancers recently took so their students can safely enjoy class.

“The kids love it. They love to see their friends and to keep doing something that is normal for them,” said Duckworth.

Zoom meetings can be recorded. Businesses discussing confidential information should know where to save it.

“I would save it locally and then figure out, 'What do I want to do with it at some later point?' so that it's not inadvertently exposed out in the cloud somewhere,” said Hatter.

Hatter said there are alternatives to Zoom. He recommends WebEx and Microsoft Teams.

Zoom Video Communications published a blog addressing "Zoom bombing." The software company is on a 90-day feature freeze.

During this time, it will work on identifying and fixing safety and privacy issues.