Video conferences are a great way to stay connected with colleagues, clients and friends, but they can also be a target for hackers. These criminals use various tactics to try and hack into video calls and steal sensitive information. Let’s discuss the top five tactics that hackers use to hack video conferences and how to stay protected against these attacks.
1. Zoom Bombing
Hackers use zoom bombing to disrupt your video call by sharing offensive or obscene images or videos. This can be very disruptive and cause the legitimate participants to leave the conference. In addition, hackers use zoom bombing to steal sensitive information such as credit card details or login credentials.
To protect against zoom bombing, it is important to use a secure video conferencing platform such as Zoom or Skype. These platforms have security features in place to prevent uninvited guests from joining conferences. It is also important to use a strong password for your conference and to enable the “waiting room” feature. This will ensure that only invited participants can join the conference.
2. Phishing
Another tactic used by hackers is phishing. This is where hackers send emails or instant messages that appear to be from a legitimate company or organization. The message will often contain a link to a fake website that looks identical to the real website. Usually, the purpose of this website is to trick users into entering their login details or financial information.
To protect against phishing attacks, it is important to be vigilant when clicking on links in emails or instant messages. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a message, do not click on any links. It is also important to avoid giving out personal information such as login details or financial information. If you are asked to provide this type of information, it is likely someone is trying to steal your information.
3. Screen Sharing
Hackers also use a tactic known as screen sharing. This is where a hacker gains control of another user’s computer and starts to share their screen. The hacker can then access sensitive information or install malicious software.
To protect against screen sharing attacks, it is important to use a secure video conferencing platform that offers end-to-end encryption. This will ensure that only the participants in the conference can see the shared screens. It is also important to be cautious when giving someone control of your screen. If you do not know the person, it is best to avoid sharing your screen.
4. Malware
The fourth tactic that hackers use is known as “malware”. This is where hackers install malicious software on a user’s computer. Hackers use this software to gain access to sensitive information or take control of the computer.
To protect against malware attacks, it is important to install security software on your computer and keep it up-to-date. Tis helps detect and remove any malicious software that a hacker installed on your system. It is also important to be cautious when downloading files or clicking on links. Only download files from trusted sources and be sure to scan them for viruses before opening them.
5. Spoofing
The fifth and final tactic that hackers used to hack video conferences is known as “spoofing”. This is where hackers impersonate a legitimate user in order to gain access to sensitive information. They may do this by sending phishing emails or instant messages, or by taking control of a user’s computer.
To protect against spoofing attacks, it is important to be aware of the signs that someone is impersonating you. These include receiving unexpected messages or emails from you, or seeing activity on your account that you did not perform. If you suspect that someone is spoofing your identity, it is important to change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication. This will help you protect your accounts from being compromised.
As you can see, there are a number of different tactics that hackers use to hack video conferences. By being aware of these tactics, you can help to protect yourself and your business from being scammed. If you suspect that you have been the victim of a scam, it is important to report it to the relevant authorities. Visit our hacked video conference page to find out how to report.