Keeping Zoom up to date

Zoom has been rapidly releasing updates for their desktop and mobile Zoom app, to improve security and ease of use. It is critical that you take steps regularly to keep your desktop Zoom app up to date, as Zoom rarely forces updates. Default settings for mobile devices keep apps installed from the App Store (iOS) and the Play Store (Android) up to date. 

Yale University ITS recommends you follow these steps to keep your Zoom app up to date at least monthly. This ensures you are receiving patches for critical security flaws. Notable enhancements added in recent versions of the Zoom app include: 

• Clickable links in Zoom chat are now secure. 
• Increased length of generated Meeting IDs, to reduce likelihood of reuse. 
• Support for Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit GCM encryption standard for increased protection of your meeting data in transit and resistance against tampering. 
• The ability to see the specific Zoom data center you are connected to for troubleshooting purposes. View details by selecting the info icon within the Zoom meeting window. 
• An “External” label near the Zoom attendee’s name to indicate those participants external to Yale University’s Zoom account. 
• New Security options within the Host’s control bar to easily lock the meeting, enable the waiting room, or allow/disallow screen sharing, chat, and renaming for participants. 
• Meeting hosts can now report a participant during a meeting. This sends a report to Zoom’s Trust and Safety team to evaluate any misuse of the platform and block the user, if necessary. To access this feature, select the Security icon, then select Report. 

On Sunday, May 31, Zoom will be taking measures to forcibly upgrade any versions of the app below version 5. This will prevent anyone not using Zoom app version 5 or newer from joining new meetings. View steps to keep your Zoom app up to date to check your Zoom app version.