If you're online in a business meeting, learning remotely or just catching up with friends and family on a video chat and an uninvited attendee enters your meeting - hang up and check the security and privacy settings on the device you are using.
With more people online than ever before, Police are asking users to not be complacent when it comes to using video conferencing platforms and to report any inappropriate content or intrusion.
Detective Acting Superintendent Vince Byrnes from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said Police have received reports of uninvited attendees breaking into and disrupting online meetings.
"Hackers and scammers are always trying to find new ways to get access to your identity information or make contact. This can include unauthorised and uninvited entry to online meetings and conferences.
"Depending on the nature of the intrusion, this may constitute a crime. If you wish to report a Cyber Crime, please report to ReportCyber – www.cyber.gov.au/report.
"Prevention and being in control is the key. Set up strong security settings, don't open unknown links and always supervise children when they are online," said Detective Acting Superintendent Vince Byrnes.
Police would like to remind users that:
• Just like all of your online accounts, you should use a strong and unique password for your video conferencing platform
• Don't share conference links on social media
• To be even safer; set up a one-time meeting ID
• Once the meeting begins, lock the meeting to outsiders.
The eSafety Commissioner has provided more advice on their webpage in relation to using video conferencing- https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19/online-collaboration-tools
You Decide, Not the Scammers, Not the Hackers - R U in Control ?
