News
April 6, 2020Tips to Stay Safe and Productive When Using Web Conferencing Software
As businesses face unprecedented change due to the Cornavirus, understanding the tools to help your business adapt and thrive does not have to be stressful. While some have become “old pros” at tele/video conferencing, many businesses find themselves scrambling for the tools to help them survive. The good news is that there are a number of precautions and a variety of options that make web conferencing easy and productive.
First and foremost, it’s important now more than ever to practice all the standard security protocols you should already be doing. While security issues continue to emerge with the most popular conferencing software, remembering to routinely change your password and keeping anti-virus and malware software up to date can make all the difference. Users also need be vigilant of phishing scams similar to those found in emails. Spelling errors in email addresses, unsolicited messages and phone calls from unknown numbers should be avoided.
As the popularity of web meetings grow, the greatest focus of concern is privacy and the best way to stay safe is common sense. In other words, limit sharing sensitive information. In virtually all chat and video applications, strong encryption along with privacy and security controls are for the most part missing. Researchers have even discovered vulnerabilities in programs like Zoom that allow hackers to spy through a computer’s webcam and microphone. The new phenomenon where pranksters disrupt video conferences dubbed “zoombombing”, however, can easily be prevented by going into the program settings.
Many tele/video conferencing programs offer free versions and features vary from one to the other such as screen sharing, video recording, meeting transcription, file sharing, cloud storage, device compatibility, the number of participants and the allowed duration of meetings. The most popular such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and Webex are all worth checking out to see which is the right fit for you. RingCentral has recently emerged placing a strong emphasis on security and reliability serving the business to business market.
There are a number of steps you can take to make your web conference a success such as testing your internet speed with tools like Fast.com or speedtest.net. Simply moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or plugging directly into your internet modem via ethernet cable can make a huge difference. Even closing unneeded apps on your computer will improve performance by freeing up your CPU power.
Although the situation businesses find themselves in will pass, and yes it will pass, the smartest among us know that things will not go back to the way they were. The ability to change is what will separate the winners from the losers but it doesn’t have to be painful. Dan Singer, Owner, Web Meeting Solution, strongly recommends learning what role tele/video conferencing can play in the future of your company.
