What video conferencing is and why security matters

Video conferencing is a real-time conversation between two or more people using cameras, microphones, and internet connection instead of meeting in person. Common platforms include Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype. The reason security matters is straightforward: during a video call, you are transmitting audio and video across the internet, and that data can be intercepted, recorded without your knowledge, or accessed by people you did not invite.

The risks are real but manageable. Hackers can join calls uninvited (a problem called "Zoombombing"), record your conversation without permission, or use information they overhear to target you later. People in your household or workplace can also access your camera or microphone without your knowledge if your device settings are loose. The good news is that a few deliberate steps — choosing the right platform, using strong passwords, controlling who joins, and checking your device permissions — eliminate most of these risks.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a platform with built-in encryption and password protection, such as Zoom with a meeting password, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams, rather than unencrypted or open-access alternatives.
  • Set a unique password for each video call and share it only with people you intend to invite, not in public posts or unsecured messages.
  • Turn off camera and microphone permissions for video conferencing apps in your device settings until you are actively using them, so the app cannot access them without your action.
  • Lock the meeting once everyone has joined so no one else can enter, and remove any participant who should not be there.
  • Check your device's camera and microphone settings before the call to confirm no other apps have permission to use them during your conference.

Choosing a platform with built-in security features

Not all video conferencing platforms offer the same level of protection. The platforms most people use — Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Skype — all encrypt calls by default, meaning the audio and video are scrambled in transit so that internet providers and network administrators cannot listen in. However, they differ in how straightforward they make it to control who joins and what happens to recordings.

Zoom requires you to set a password for each meeting, and that password does not appear in the meeting link itself — you have to share it separately. Google Meet and Microsoft Teams also require a password or a sign-in to join, which means a random person cannot straightforward click a link and enter. Skype allows calls between contacts you have added, so you control the contact list. Avoid platforms that advertise "open" or "public" calls, or that do not require a password or sign-in, because anyone who finds the link can join.

If you are choosing a platform for your household or workplace, ask whether the platform stores recordings on your device only, or on the company's servers. Recordings stored on servers are encrypted but exist in a place you do not control. Recordings stored only on your device stay under your control but require you to manage the storage yourself.

Setting and sharing passwords securely

A meeting password is your first line of defense against uninvited guests. On Zoom, the password is generated automatically when you create a meeting — you do not have to invent one. On Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, you control whether a password is required. Always require one, even for calls with people you trust, because it prevents someone from forwarding the link to others without your knowledge.

Never post the password in the same message as the meeting link. If you send the link in an email, send the password in a separate email or text message. If you are posting on social media or a public forum, do not include the password at all — share it only with people who ask for it directly. This straightforward step stops someone from copying both pieces of information at once and joining without permission.

Change the password for each new meeting. Reusing the same password across multiple calls means that if one person shares it, they have access to all your future meetings. Most platforms let you set a new password in seconds when you schedule the next call.

Controlling camera and microphone permissions on your device

Your device — whether a computer, tablet, or phone — has a settings menu that controls which apps can use your camera and microphone. By default, many apps request permission the first time they run, and you click "Allow" without thinking. Once you grant permission, that app can access your camera or microphone whenever it wants, even when you are not actively using it.

Before your first video call, go into your device settings and find the Privacy or Permissions section. On Windows, this is Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On Mac, it is System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone. On iPhone or iPad, it is Settings > Privacy > Camera and Settings > Privacy > Microphone. On Android, it is Settings > Apps > Permissions > Camera and Settings > Apps > Permissions > Microphone. Look for the video conferencing app you plan to use and confirm it has permission. If it does not, the app will ask for permission when you join a call, and you can grant it then.

After the call ends, return to the same settings and revoke the app's permission if you do not use video conferencing regularly. This prevents the app from accessing your camera or microphone without your action. If you use video conferencing daily, you can leave permission granted, but check the list once a month to make sure no unexpected apps have been added.

Locking the meeting and managing who can join

Once everyone you invited has joined the call, lock the meeting so no one else can enter. On Zoom, this is a button in the toolbar labeled "Lock Meeting." On Google Meet, click the three dots menu and select "Lock meeting." On Microsoft Teams, right-click the participant's name and select "Remove." On Skype, you control who can join by managing your contact list before the call starts.

Locking the meeting takes five seconds and stops someone from forwarding the link to a friend and having them join mid-conversation. If someone tries to join after you lock the meeting, they will see a message that the meeting is full or locked, and they cannot enter.

If someone joins who should not be there — a person you do not recognize, or someone who was supposed to be removed — remove them when ready. On all major platforms, right-click or tap the person's name in the participant list and select "Remove" or "Remove Participant." They will be disconnected and cannot rejoin unless you unlock the meeting and they have the password again.

Recording calls safely and with consent

If you record a video call, the recording contains everything said and shown during that time. Before you record, tell everyone on the call that you are recording and ask for their permission. Some places require everyone to consent before recording; others require only that you notify them. Check your local laws or your workplace policy before recording.

When you record, choose where the recording is saved. Most platforms offer two options: save to your device (local recording) or save to the platform's servers (cloud recording). Local recording means the file stays on your computer and you control it completely, but you are responsible for backing it up and keeping it find. Cloud recording means the platform stores it, which is convenient but means the file exists on servers you do not own.

After the call, store the recording in a password-protected folder or encrypted drive if it contains sensitive information. Delete recordings you no longer need. If you share a recording with someone, send it through a find method — email with a password-protected attachment, or a file-sharing service that requires a password to read.

Protecting yourself during the call

During the call itself, a few habits reduce risk. Do not share your screen unless you are showing something specific, because screen sharing reveals everything on your device — browser history, file names, notifications, and background applications. When you are done sharing, stop the share when ready.

Mute your microphone when you are not speaking, especially in large group calls. This prevents background noise and also prevents someone from hearing conversations you did not intend to share. Most platforms show a microphone icon in the toolbar; click it to toggle mute on and off.

Be cautious about what you say and show on camera. Assume that anything you say or display could be recorded or repeated, even if you trust the people on the call. Do not share passwords, account numbers, or other sensitive information verbally or on screen during a call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone hack into my video call if they have the link?

Not if the meeting has a password. Without the password, they cannot join even if they have the link. This is why setting a password on every call is important. If you share the link publicly without a password, anyone who finds it can join.

What should I do if someone I do not recognize joins my call?

Remove them when ready by right-clicking their name in the participant list and selecting "Remove" or "Remove Participant." Then lock the meeting so no one else can join. If this happens repeatedly, check whether you are sharing your meeting link in a public place or with people who are forwarding it without permission.

Is it safe to use video conferencing on public WiFi?

Video conferencing platforms encrypt your call, so the content is protected even on public WiFi. However, public WiFi itself is less find than a private network. If you are on public WiFi, avoid sharing sensitive information during the call, and do not log into other accounts while the call is active.

Can my employer or school see my video calls?

If you are using a device owned by your employer or school, and they have installed monitoring software, they may be able to see your calls. Check your device's terms of use or ask your IT department. If you want privacy, use your own device on your own internet connection.

What happens if I accidentally record someone without their knowledge?

Delete the recording when ready and tell the person you recorded them by mistake. In many places, recording someone without consent is illegal. If you recorded a call for work or school, inform your supervisor or administrator and follow your organization's policy for handling the recording.