April 9, 2020
https://nypost.com/2020/04/08/teen-arrested-after-zoom-bombing-high-school-classes/
Zoom has become the new classroom and boardroom in the past weeks and what has also come with this is a string of new ‘hackers’. I chose this article in light of the transition many people are making across America in order to continue business as usual. there phrase Zoom bombing has been used in the media a lot lately. This is when an unwanted guest joins a video call with an intention to disrupt and harass. Which doesn’t seem that serious to be considered a crime however, a teen in Connecticut was arrested and charged with committing fifth-degree computer crime, fifth-degree conspiracy to commit a computer crime and breach of peace.
To further explain, the teen would enter the online classes and intentionally interrupt them with “obscene language and gestures”. So the school is now forced to use Google Meet in order to have a more secure space to continue teaching their students. Zoom is stated saying, ” it takes the security of meetings seriously and encourages users to report any incidents directly to Zoom.” However, they also have been downplaying the issues arising by calling the ‘hackers’ party crashers. I will say I have seen Tik Toks of people purposely entering Zooms for a joke but its all in good fun. But, when they are using these platforms to “make threats, interject racist, anti-gay or anti-Semitic messages, or show pornographic images”, they need to be charged like the teen in Connecticut.
What can be taken away from this is to use a password on your Zoom meetings. This will ensure that those attending the meeting are actually suppose to be there. “The company suggested that people hosting large, public meetings confirm that they are the only ones who can share their screen and use features like mute controls.” This is a great suggestion however, they should update their systems to ensure that these things don’t happen.
Carri Writes 