Zoombombing

What is Zoombombing?

A new form of trolling in which an unwanted or unwelcome participant uses Zoom’s screensharing feature to interrupt and disrupt meetings and classes.

What can I do to prevent Zoombombing?

You can control the entrance of unwanted or unwelcome guests in two ways by:

1. requiring authentication
2. requiring a password to enter a meeting

How do I require authentication at the account level?

In settings, you will find two options to authenticate participant use.

• The first option is to require that all participants are authenticated (have a Zoom account - non anonymous).
• The second option includes the first step’s security and adds another layer of security requiring all authenticated participants have @merrimack.edu at the end of the username.

After you select one of the authentication options, you will see a pop-up window that will allow you to make the setting default. If you select this - EVERYONE that meets with you will have to have a merrimack.edu account or be signed in (depending on your choice). You can always disallow this setting on a case by case basis when creating a meeting.

 

When setting up a meeting, you can require authentication or remove the requirement. You have two options: Sign in to Zoom or Merrimack Only. Merrimack only will only allow signed in users with @merrimack.edu accounts. Then click Save.

How do I require a meeting password for my meetings?

You have the option to require a password for your meetings or classes. The password is automatically created in the invitation. Avoid posting the password online.

You can determine in Settings in Zoom.us how you would like passwords to work. You can have them be part of creating a new meeting automatically, require passwords for instant meetings, and/or require passwords for Personal ID Meetings (PMI). You can also allow for the password to be embedded in your Zoom invitations which makes one click access (without entering a password) possible. If you allow participants to join by phone, it is a good practice to also use a phone password.

Do I need a different password for recurring meetings?

No. Recurring meetings that are set up to use passwords will always use the same password, unless the host changes it.

How can I enable the setting to remove unwanted or unwelcome participants from class?

1. Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
2. Click Settings.
3. Scroll down and navigate to the Allow removed participants to rejoin option on the Meeting tab and verify that the setting is disabled. If the setting is enabled, click the Status toggle to disable it.

4. This will disable removed participants to join the session again so that booted attendees can’t slip back in