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As more and more states institute stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, video calls are becoming an integral method of connection. Coworkers are using the calls for meetings, families for celebrating birthdays and friends for talking to something other than the blank wall at home.

But depending on the type of call you're on, it could be at risk for "zoombombing." The term is a reference to the online meeting platform Zoom but can apply to similar platforms like Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and more. It's used to describe instances where the screen is hijacked to harass those tuning in and can involve spreading racist, sexist and generally vulgar messages.

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As universities move to online-learning, reports of explicit messages being shared on screens have circulated, according to Insider Higher Ed. Other public meetings have seen similar issues, including a call where a children's book was being read and an anonymous voice spouted repeated racial slurs, NBC News reported.

So how do you make sure your feed doesn't turn filthy? Here are some helpful tips:

Tips for using Zoom Meetings

Depending on how your conference call is set up, anyone can share their screen or have their mic go live and take over on Zoom. The service was the most popular free download on Apple IOS in mid-March, in part because it allows users to record meetings that are under 40 minutes.

The company advises against using your Personal Meeting ID (PMI) to host public meetings in order to ensure your virtual space is not invaded. Instead, generate a random meeting ID.

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If you're the host of such a call, you can change your meeting settings beforehand in the admin settings under "advanced sharing options."

Zoom allows for 100 people in default meetings, 500 people if you use the Large meeting add-on. Here are five tips to consider, especially if you're on a public call and/or in an especially large meeting:

  • Adjust your screen sharing to be "host-only"
  • Turn off the "join before host" option
  • Turn off file transfer. If sharing a file is integral, it can be sent through another, more secure option
  • Turn off "allow removed participants to rejoin" so troublemakers can't return
  • Turn "co-host" to designate a trusted person to help moderate your call

Keep in mind that your meet does not have to be public. You can make your meeting an invite-only event and also lock it once it reaches a certain number of people.

Zoom advises hosts of public events to enable the "Waiting room" feature to further limit guests. You can learn more about the feature and other security features from the company here.


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Google Hangouts screen sharing

Google Hangouts allows for 25 people in a video call. You're able to add emojis and stickers and GIFs during the call. Conversely, Hangouts Meet is a paid service but is currently being offered for free through July 1. As many as 250 people can be on those video calls.

The host of a Hangouts Meet call must have a Google account, but others can join the call without an account or come to the meeting via an outside link. The host must give them access to the call before joining. Once the call begins, the host is able to remove participants from the call after the fact.

The host also has the ability to mute certain participants during the call, but at least on the App version, they are unable to disable the video or screen sharing capabilities of others.

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Microsoft Teams and Skype settings

Most Skype calls are done by with those signed up for the service, but a public call option with a link that can be shared with anyone is available. Anyone with a Microsoft account can use Teams for a meeting with others on the platform. Teams does not have a public call option.

Both services, owned and operated by Microsoft allow for up to 50 people on video calls. Neither has restrictions on who and when a viewer can share their screen or video so if you're on a call with strangers, you've been warned.

Other video chat services, like Facetime, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are less prone to these issues because they skew more towards one-on-one conversations. That being said, double-checking your privacy settings to reduce the threat of trolls is always a good measure to take.

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