After a year of security incidents and controversies, Zoom is finally back on track. The company has introduced Zoom’s long-awaited end-to-end encryption (E2E) for both free and paid users, which is awesome. Previously, Zoom took the controversial stance of not offering E2E encryption to free users, but after facing backlash over privacy concerns, the company quickly backtracked. Now, you can enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom by validating your identity through a phone number. With that said, let’s go ahead and learn about Zoom’s E2E encryption and how to enable it.
Enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom
We’ve covered enabling Zoom’s E2E encryption for individual users and groups and enterprise users in different sections. We have also mentioned some notable points that you should keep in mind. Use the table of contents below to quickly jump to the section you want.
Notable Points About Zoom’s E2E Encryption
Before proceeding to the steps, you should note a few points. With E2E enabled, you will not be able to use many Zoom features such as cloud recording, streaming, live transcription, pre-host connection and more. Additionally, users will not be able to join an E2E meeting via phone support.
Zoom says end-to-end encryption is currently in technical preview, so it will take more than a year to bring full functionality with rock-solid encryption. Other than that, both free and paid users have E2E support, but free users must verify their identity via a mobile number or need to add a valid billing option.
Next, end-to-end encryption on Zoom is currently available on official clients only. Basically, E2E encryption is available on dedicated apps from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS and Zoom rooms. Currently, E2E encryption is not supported on the web. Additionally, all participants must have E2E encryption enabled to join an E2E meeting.
Finally, as we noted in our Zoom vs Google Meet comparison, end-to-end encryption is the same GCM encryption that was previously deployed on Zoom. However, this time the decryption keys are generated locally on users’ computers – instead of Zoom’s servers – which decrypted and managed the keys earlier. In tandem, packets can only be decrypted on the receiver side, making it an end-to-end secure channel.
Enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom for individuals
1. You can enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom only through the web portal. So first, open the Zoom settings page and switch to the “Meeting” tab.
2. Here scroll down and enable toggle to “Allow the use of end-to-end encryption”.
3. It will then ask you for your phone number. Enter it and click “Send Verification Code”.
4. Next, enter the single use code that you will receive on your phone number and click on “Verify”.
5. Finally, the end-to-end encryption option on Zoom will be enabled. Now just select “End-to-End Encryption” like default encryption type and click “Save”. You have finished.
6. To check if the Zoom meeting is end-to-end encrypted, you will find a green shield logo in the upper left corner. Keep in mind that GCM encryption also has a green shield, but it has a tick mark. But with E2E enabled, you will find a padlock symbol inside green shield with security code.
Enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom for group and account admins
1. Open The Zoom settings page by clicking on the link and proceed to Account management -> Account Settings.
2. Here, click on “Meeting” and proceed to the ““Security” tab. Now enable the toggle for “Allow the use of end-to-end encryption”.
3. Next, choose “End-to-end encryption” as default encryption type and click “Save”.
4. If you want to make E2E encryption mandatory for all users in your group or account, click the lock icon to confirm the changes. That’s it.
Secure your Zoom meetings with E2E encryption
This is how you can enable end-to-end encryption on Zoom and secure your web meetings against all kinds of security attacks. As the feature is in Technical Preview, many essential features are not available and this is understandable. So I suggest you use E2E encryption only when the meeting is highly confidential. To get all the features, you will have to wait for some time. Anyway, it all comes from us. You can learn more about these Zoom tips and tricks in our linked article.
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