Introduction
This is for those who have not used Zoom much or would like a refresh…
First, you should set up a free Zoom account. You can do this on your computer’s or smart phone’s Zoom App, but you can also do this on Zoom’s web site: https://us04web.zoom.us/signup
NOTE:
- Sometimes you do not need a Zoom account, but when you do, you find out about it when you are trying to log in.
- It is probably best to create an account rather than log in using your Facebook or Google account.
- Listed at the bottom are articles on Zoom’s security issues and why the most critical ones have been resolved.
- Security experts agree that it is fine for what we use it for, but are concerned about situations where private information being discussed.
The Steps
First, you give them your birthday. This alone is not a security issue, so go ahead. (If you wish to experiment, perhaps they just need to confirm you were born before 2002).
Then create your login name, which is your email address. (Not long ago, these systems needed to create a unique login id for everyone, which people would forget, and they needed your email. Then some genius thought: “Wait a minute… email addresses are unique…”)
Zoom will send you an email and let you know with this image:
The email will look like this. Click Activate Account.
Then you get the screen to set up your account’s password.
The screen will list the password requirements after you start typing in a password… not a moment too soon!
If they ask if you want to invite friends… Click Continue (not necessary to invite friends now)
Turns out they even give you the chance to make a little meeting to test…
Here is the login screen:
Articles on Zoom’s Security Issues
The consensus is that for what we use it for, Zoom is OK.
The one big one security issue left is that anyone can crash the party, which is why we limited how much Zoom info we put on the web page. However, security experts agree that it is fine for what we use it for, but are concerned about situations where private information being discussed. Also, as Forbes pointed out, below, similar software by larger software companies has issues without the same flexibility that Zoom provides.
Here are some articles, listed by date.
From October 15, 2020 by a security professional
From July 2, 2020 by Forbes
From June 5, 2020 by Forbes
Personal reflection: While I do not use Zoom at work, I know that our internet security guy at work eventually gave the green light to Zoom after his initial concerns were resolved. (We use it for Happy Hour on Fridays, which I have not attended, and we use Jabber for communicating and sharing screens).