Tips for making your Zoom sessions more secure — and more fun

Follow these simple steps to help keep your virtual meetings safe, and to make your background a view of UChicago or anywhere you choose

With Zoom a vital tool for working at the University of Chicago this quarter, here's some important information about Zoom security and access — along with some ways you can make your online meetings a little more fun.

Security

First, the serious stuff: The University is closely monitoring and addressing the recent privacy and security concerns about Zoom that have been raised in the media and by members of the campus community. Zoom has updated its security to help prevent incidents in which uninvited participants have disrupted Zoom sessions.

In addition, as part of a new enterprise agreement with Zoom, the University has worked directly with Zoom to take proactive steps to maintain a secure remote learning and conferencing environment. You can find more information on ITS' Zoom security page.

While we have enhanced security at the University level, it’s important that individual users optimize their own account security, such as disabling the “join before host” feature, requiring meeting passwords, avoiding posting meeting links online, and other guidance outlined on the University's Zoom security page.

Please contact itservices@uchicago.edu if you have questions or concerns not addressed on the Zoom security page.

Zoom Accounts

As part of the University's new agreement with Zoom, a Zoom account, with enhanced security features, is now available to the entire University community. If you do not yet have a Zoom account, ITS encourages you to set one up. All academics, students, and staff can request an account at the web conferencing website. (No action is needed by anyone who previously requested and received a Zoom account.)

Custom Backgrounds

And now, a lighter note: Some members of the campus community are finding ways to make online meetings just a little more interesting — and you can too.

Zoom’s virtual background feature lets you choose settings such as a tropical beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, or even outer space. You can also upload your own image to change your background to something more personal — anything from your favorite spot on campus to a memorable vacation location.

Melissa Sherwin, Communications Lead for UChicago’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative, pictured here with Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster character, recently shared:

“Maintaining a sense of humor has always helped me navigate through difficult times. Discovering the option to change your Zoom virtual background was one of the best things ever. It certainly lightened up some web conferences this afternoon. Stay strong and keep smiling, everyone.”

And while it’s not the same as being on campus, but UChicago can now be your backdrop. Download scenic views of the University and images of popular spots on campus a at creative.uchicago.edu/zoom-backgrounds.

For a video on how to use the Zoom background feature, along with instructions and best practices for images, check out Zoom’s help page.