Changes to Zoom Default Security Settings

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This article includes information about the following Zoom security changes and how to manage settings according to your needs.

Note: For a complete list of recommended settings, see our Zoom Meeting Privacy & Security document.

Meeting Password Required

Passwords are set up by default and cannot be disabled.

Password Embedded in Meetings Link

By default, passwords are embedded in meeting links and invitations. This means that you do not have to know the password and distribute it to your attendees. Just provide the Join link in a place where only they can access it. Note that the Join link is available to students in Canvas courses when you schedule and/or import meetings in the Zoom-Canvas tool.

If you will be publicly posting the meeting url, please be sure to turn OFF the "Embed Password in meeting link" option. The "Embed Password" option does need to stay selected if you are using Zoom in Canvas.

To make changes to password requirements:

1. Go to your Zoom profile page and select Settings in the left-side navigation menu.
2. Select the Meeting tab, then scroll down slightly to the password options.
3. Use the toggle to turn password settings on or off.

Private Chat Disabled

By default, participants cannot chat privately in your meeting. This helps to cut back on distractions and prevent anyone from sending and/or receiving unwanted messages during the meeting.

Manage Private Chat by Default

1. Go to your Zoom profile and select Settings in the left navigation menu. 
2. Select the Meeting tab, then select In Meeting (Basic) in the submenu.
3. Under the Chat setting, use the toggle to turn Private chat on or off.

Manage Private Chat During a Meeting

1. During a meeting, select the Chat button in the Zoom toolbar.
2. In the lower right area of the chat panel, select the More icon, represented by three dots.
3. Select the chat option you prefer.

Participant Annotation Disabled

Participant Annotation is disabled by default to prevent attendees from doodling and marking up content during screen sharing. Please note, that hosts can still annotate even with this setting turned OFF.

To change the Annotation setting:

1. Go to your Zoom profile and select Settings in the left navigation menu. 
2. Select the Meeting tab, then select In Meeting (Basic) in the submenu.
3. Find the Annotation setting and use the toggle to turn it on or off.

Mute Participants Upon Entry

By default, participants' microphones are turned OFF when they enter your meeting, but they can unmute themselves during the meeting. Hosts and Co-hosts can mute/unmute individual participants or all of them at once, and even remove participants' ability to unmute themselves.

Manage Mute Participants Upon Entry

To change this:

1. Go to your Zoom profile and select Settings.
2. Select the Meeting tab, then scroll down until you almost reach the Basic settings.
3. Find the setting labeled Mute participants upon entry and use the toggle to turn it on or off.

Mute Participants During a Meeting

1. During a meeting, Select the Manage Participants button in the Zoom toolbar.
2. Mute/Unmute participants using the buttons next to their names. 
3. Mute/Unmute all participants using the buttons at the bottom of the participant's panel.
4. Select the More button to Disallow Participants to Unmute Themselves.

Participant Screen Sharing

The default screen sharing setting only allows hosts to share during a meeting. However, you may need participants to share their screens, like when students give presentations.

Enable Participant Share Screen During a Meeting

The new Security button in the Zoom toolbar makes it easy to change this setting during meetings.

1. During a meeting, click Settings in the Zoom toolbar.
2. Select Share Screen.

Keep Zoom Updated to the Latest Version

It is important to keep your Zoom application updated to the newest version to take advantage of the latest security Check for the latest updates for your Zoom application.

Updating Zoom

Step 1: Open the Zoom App.

Step 2: Select your user icon on the top right.

Step 3: Select Check for Updates in the drop-down menu.

Step 4: If updates are available, a message will appear that says Update Available.

Step 5: Click Update to install.