Tips to Prevent and Respond to Zoom Bombing
Zoom Bombings are when an uninvited guest joins an online meeting or class. We strongly encourage you to take proactive measures when you are setting up your meeting or webinar to ensure the highest level of security.
Never share Zoom meeting links publicly online. Instead, post your event registration link when advertising your event.
Penn State IT Learning and Development Guides and Learning Paths
Video: Learn how to secure your meeting in 4 minutes
Quick Start Guides
- Host a Zoom Meeting or Webinar Quick Start Guide
- Participating in a Zoom Meeting Quick Start Guide
- Participating in a Zoom Webinar Quick Start Guide
- Sign in to the Penn State Zoom Web Portal
Learning Paths
When a Zoom Bombing Occurs
Zoom bombings can range from minor distractions to hateful or malicious incidents. Whether it happens during a meeting your hosting or one you are attending, a Zoom bombing can have an impact on everyone involved.
Designate a cohost for your meeting to help manage the meeting, including the waiting room, last-minute registrations, and disruptions.
- Click Suspend Participant Activity under the Security button. The meeting will lock to prevent others from joining, all participants' videos will be disabled, audio will be muted, screen shares and recordings will stop, and break-out rooms will end.
- Unmute your microphone to let participants know how to proceed. This may include rescheduling the meeting or continuing after the disruption has been addressed.
- Document everything and report all incidents of Zoom bombings to University Police immediately as well as to Penn State Report Bias.
How to Respond and Provide Resources after a Zoom Bombing
- Reach out to those impacted, acknowledge the intrusion, and condemn the behavior.
- Offer resources to meeting attendees; make sure to utilize any resources you may need as well.