2020 has seen more people working from home than ever before. Due to health concerns from Covid-19, more people are working remotely, and businesses are trying to keep up with demand. Many organisations are using an array of technologies to stay connected: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Slack are just a few of the available technologies.
Unfortunately, not all of these tools are created equal. Recently Zoom has come under the spotlight with many security issues. If you’re using Zoom in your organisation, it’s time to reconsider the application.
Many businesses, schools and government departments have banned the use of Zoom due to recent developments. The company has also announced they have stopped all development of their products to focus on security and privacy.
No end-to-end encryption
Zoom advertised that it was using end-to-end encryption. Zoom recently confirmed that end-to-end encryption was not currently possible on the platform.
Hidden webserver on devices
When installing Zoom, a secret web server is also installed on users’ devices. This allows users to be added to a call without permission.
Malware on Mac devices
If things couldn’t get any worse, the Mac version of Zoom has malware embedded in the application. The bug enables hackers to take over a user’s Mac; this includes control over the user’s webcam and microphone. Issue may be fixed.
User data for sale
Zoom’s iPhone application sends data from users to Facebook for advertising purposes, even if the user does not have a Facebook account. Issue may be fixed.
Microsoft login theft
The Zoom Windows client is vulnerable to UNC path injection in the client’s chat feature. That could allow attackers to steal the Windows credentials of users who click a zoom meeting link.
Data sent to China
Researchers have found that Zoom sends traffic to China, even when all the people in a Zoom meeting are outside of China.
What are your options?
Zoom has been a great platform over the years, and was a platform we enjoyed. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend the Zoom at this point in time, and the best course of action is to move away from the platform.
At Linktech Australia, we have been working with many vendors and have good experience with Microsoft Teams and RingCentral. Both applications are secure by design, enable video chat, screen sharing and real-time collaboration.
If you would like to learn more about how Microsoft Teams or RingCentral can help your business, drop us a line and one of our work from home specialists will be able to help.