Zapping Zoombombers

ZOOM-Video Conference from MSShortcut: bit.ly/zoombomber

Welcome to my course on Zapping Zoombombers: How to Manage a Zoom Conference Effectively.

Click the link below to access a PDF version of my slide show.

What Is Zoom?

  • Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
  • HQ: San Jose, CA, 2011
  • Started by former Webex engineer
    • Who thought Webex was too hard to use
  • Company now worth $40 billion
    • General Motors: $28 billion
  • Widely regarded as easiest video conferencing

Zoom Account Types

  • Free: 100 participants, 40 minute length
  • Pro: $15/mo, 100 participants, 24 hr length, advanced controls
  • Business: $20/mo, 300 participants, advanced controls, company branding

SECURITY

Zoom Problems

  • Reputation for lack of security
  • Zoom created a hidden web servers on Macs
    • Made it difficult to remove
  • Encrypted, but key stored in China
  • Warning from FBI (March 2020)
  • Investigated by NY State Attorney General
  • Banned from NYC schools
  • Zoombombing outbreak

Zoombombing

  • Hackers join and interrupt meetings
  • Share obscene images or yell obscenities
  • Send racist or misogynistic chats to members
  • Share files containing viruses
  • Organizers are forced to shut down the meeting

Zoombombing

  • Hackers join and interrupt meetings
  • Share obscene images or yell obscenities
  • Send racist or misogynistic chats to members
  • Share files containing viruses
  • Organizers are forced to shut down the meeting

How Zoombombers Gain Access

  • Meeting IDs posted on public sites
  • Hackers have apps to gather Meeting IDs
  • Share Meeting IDs on websites
  • Students can invite friends into class meetings

Zoom Meeting Security

  • Two Approaches:
    • Blocking Bad Attendees
    • Controlling Good Attendees

Blocking Bad Attendees

  • Avoid public notices
  • Safeguard meeting IDs and passwords
  • Use the Waiting Room feature
  • Lock the Meeting, say, 15 minutes after start
  • If available, require registration

Registration

  • Requires a Pro Account
  • Automatic Approval or Manual Approval
  • Can pick which questions to ask

Controlling Attendees

  • Limit Screen Sharing
  • Limit Chatting
  • Limit File Sharing
  • Remove Attendees
  • Consider doing a Webinar

3 Ways to Change Settings

  • The Zoom Web Portal
  • The Zoom Desktop Client
  • In-Meeting Toolbar

The Desktop Client

  • Search for: zoom
  • Run the app
  • Press the gear button for Settings

Desktop Client Settings

  • The General tab
  • Video Settings
  • Video Settings
  • In-Meeting Toolbar

In-Meeting Toolbar

  • Advanced Security Options
  • Be sure to allow Only Host
  • Participants View
  • Note the Mute All button
  • Mute One Participant
  • Press the More button for other options

Controlling a Participant

  • Options:
    • Put in Waiting Room
    • Remove
    • Controlling a Participant

Someone’s Waiting

  • Waiting Room Choices:
    • Admit
    • Message (Chat)
    • Remove

Chatting with the Waiting Room

  • Must chat with everyone
  • Cannot privately chat

Webinars

  • Virtual lecture hall
  • Good for large audiences
  • Extra cost: $40/month for Pro accounts

Webinar Controls

  • Attendees are usually muted
  • Only hosts and panelists can share screens
  • Chat is available
  • Attendees can raise hands

LIGHTING

Lighting Tips

  • Zoom works best with plenty of light
  • Natural lighting is best, if available

Indoor Lights

  • LED bulbs work well
  • Daylight or 5000K are best
  • Soft Daylight or 3000K may be too “warm”
  • Use a lampshade if possible

Lighting Placement

  • Place lights to avoid shadows
  • Avoid overhead lights
  • Avoid lights behind you
  • Best: Lamp behind camera

Camera Placement

  • Raise the laptop camera to eye height
  • Look at the camera, not the screen

Lighting References

  • YouTube Videos:
    • How To Look Good on Video Calls for Zoom FaceTime Skype
    • Top 10 Tips & Tricks For A Zoom Meeting | Lighting | Set Up | Makeup & More! | MsGoldgirl
  • Blogs:
    • How to look your best on a video call

SOUND

Laptop Microphones

  • Pinhole at top of display
  • Not very good quality
  • Picks up room noise,
    echo

Smartphone Earbuds

  • Small microphone
  • But close to your mouth
  • Pretty good quality

Lapel Microphones   

  • Tiny microphones attached to clothing
  • Better quality than laptop microphones

USB Microphones

  • Connect to USB connector
  • Good quality, but volume may be low

BACKGROUNDS

Background Tips

  • Be aware of your background
  • Keep it as simple as possible
  • Close any doors
  • Avoid Clutter

Virtual Backgrounds

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/best-free-zoom-backgrounds

Green Screens

  • For the best virtual backgrounds
  • Expensive
  • Popup Green Screens
    • Foldable
    • 6 by 4.5 feet
    • $60

MOBILE DEVICES

Zoom on Mobile Devices

  • Apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android
  • Limited functionality
  • Steadiness problem

Hold the Phone — Correctly

Hold the phone horizontally rather than vertically

BEST PRACTICES

Best Practices

  • Getting Ready
  • Getting Started
  • Interact
  • Viewing Tips
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Best Screen Sharing Settings

Getting Ready

  • Rehearse a day or so before the event
  • Involve all presenters
  • Check all connections
  • Rehearse by yourself:
  • Set up second account
  • On tablet, phone, or second computer

Getting Started

  • Start early
  • Housekeeping
  • Show attendees can interact
  • Start interacting quickly
  • Will help dissuade latecomers

Interactions

  • Polls
  • Chats
  • Raise hands
  • Real or simulated
  • Interactive annotations

Best Viewing Options

  • Use Gallery view
  • Avoid HD video for yourself

Gallery View

  • Gallery View vs. Speaker View
  • Click button in upper right corner of screen
  • As a host, Gallery View shows all participants
  • As an attendee, Speaker View might be best

Valuable Shortcut Keys

  • Mute All: Alt M
  • Share/Unshare: Alt S
  • Raise/Lower Hand: Alt Y

Best Screen Sharing Options

  • Magnify text on your computer screen
  • Windows: Rt-click Desktop > Screen Options
  • Magnify the mouse pointer
  • Windows: Control Panel > Mouse > Magnified
  • Optimize for Computer Sound
  • Annotations

Share Your Computer Sound

  • When you share your Desktop, click Share computer sound
  • Now people can
    hear your
    YouTube videos

References