There is a default setting on Zoom that permits any meeting participant to share their screen. Many warned about Zoom-bombing and laid out steps to manage screen-sharing and turning off public settings. Memos by information security offices like the ones at USC and UC Berkeley have been circulating this week to students and faculty. Officials at USC and other universities across the nation are working quickly to implement safeguards and new protocols.

“You have all worked tirelessly to make the transition from in-class learning to remote learning and have done so quickly to maintain our academic progress and continuity.” Folt and Provost Charles Zukoski wrote in a universitywide letter.

“We are deeply saddened that our students and faculty have had to witness such despicable acts,” USC President Carol L. “That’s also why the training component for teachers and families is so important.”Īt USC, top administrators on Tuesday apologized to the school community after some virtual lectures fell prey to people crashing in with “racist and vile language.” But regardless of whether that’s Zoom or other online resources, folks still have to take the appropriate security precautions,” said LAUSD board member Nick Melvoin. “We are encouraging people to use what they need to get up and running with distance learning. Districtwide, Los Angeles Unified officials said that Zoom was one of several approved platforms that teachers could utilize, but they acknowledged that the potential security problem has been flagged. Teachers in at least one Los Angeles public school stopped using the platform at the end of last week. Some grade-school teachers have already shied away from teaching their youngest students on this platform. Last week, Chipotle tried to host a public Zoom event with the popular musician Lauv - but had to shut down after someone started broadcasting hardcore porn to the hundreds of people tuning in.Īs more and more colleges and school districts scramble to set up Zoom classrooms as a stand-in for canceled in-person classes, these internet bullies have found another vulnerable space. Local groups just trying to provide a virtual hangout for their communities have had to terminate online events. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.Ī relatively new frontier of internet trolling, Zoom-bombing has taken over video conferences and “work from home happy hours” with hateful images and vulgar screen-shares.

Zoombombing examples