Irvine, California-based Hard Drive Recovery Group (HDRG) is reaching out to the community to discuss the risks of using Zoom for remote working, and why it may be better to seek for other alternatives.
"With most of the employed world currently working at home to avoid the spread of COVID-19, apps and programs that make remote work easier have become household names. Zoom has grown to be one of the most popular remote working tools. We have noticed that many people have been far too quick to jump the gun and begin using these apps without considering the risks and security issues that may be inherent to them," states Maureen Davies of Hard Drive Recovery Group. While the concern with Zoom as a secure remote working platform has only increased over the past few weeks, HDRG states that users have not given enough weight to the comments from online security experts who question its security features and doubt the safety of users’ data on the platform.
Davies adds, "Zoom has been criticized by high-profile individuals in the past for safety concerns. While none of their demands have produced significant results, there are enough cases to make you question whether you should trust this company with your company's sensitive information. One of the most recent cases that come to mind is that of Letitia James, a New York attorney general. She demanded that the company inform the public of the lack of security measures they had taken to keep up with the sudden ballooning of their users. She questioned the company's ability to guarantee the well being of their users as well. While Zoom announced at the time that all their resources were focused on addressing safety and security issues raised by users in recent weeks, the underlying concern still remains despite their efforts to offer reassurance."
Whether or not Zoom is putting as much dedication as they claim into increasing the security of their app, one thing that is clear is that their efforts have not been enough to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening all over their platform. Zoom bombing has been an issue for a few weeks now, to the point where it has now caught the attention of the FBI. These video hijacking incidents present more than simple inconveniences, as students have been exposed to the antics of several individuals who join their classroom with malicious intentions. The FBI is already investigating numerous incidents of hackers infiltrating video meetings, shouting racial slurs and issuing threats. The Bureau is also looking into the connection between these hackers and ransomware hackers who, until recently, have also victimized businesses.
Another problem with Zoom's platform, according to Hard Drive Recovery Group, is the lack of end-to-end encryption. This is a feature that cybersecurity savvy users are always on the lookout for, as it secures communication platforms so that whatever goes into the platform can only be accessed by the users involved. While Zoom boasted in the past that their app used this well-regarded security measure, they have come around to admit that end-to-end encryption is not yet present on the platform. That is only of the many flaws in security that Zoom has been accused of possessing, and their criticism goes all the way back to early 2019.
Davies states, "Back in 2019, Zoom users were surprised when it was revealed that a hidden web server had been installed on user devices which could add the user to a call without his or her consent. Recently, a bud was discovered that could allow hackers to take over a Mac of a Zoom user through the device’s webcam and microphone. The company has yet to offer any reassurance or explanation for these issues, leading users to worry about what they are being exposed to when using the app."
Even some of Zoom's better features have been criticized, as the apps' attention tracker has been called out as a way of sneaking in-app surveillance to monitor their user's activities. This issue, along with several others, are thoroughly explained in Hard Drive Recovery Group's latest blog post, titled, ‘Is Zoom Helping Or Destroying Your Remote Work Efforts?’ Those interested are welcome to visit their site to read further or get in touch with the company’s representatives to follow up on any further inquiries.
from Hard Drive Recovery Group
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