Secure a Zoom meeting

Questions

  • How do I secure my Zoom meeting?
  • What can I do to prevent Zoombombing?
  • If I share a Zoom meeting link publicly, can anyone join?
  • How do I let Bowdoin community members in while screening external guests?
  • How do I restrict my Zoom meeting to Bowdoin accounts only?
  • How do I use the Zoom waiting room?
  • Should I require a passcode for my Zoom meetings?
  • What is Zoombombing and how do I prevent it?

Environment

This article applies to Bowdoin faculty, staff, and students who host Zoom meetings or webinars. These settings apply to any meeting that might be shared publicly or attended by participants outside the Bowdoin community.

Resolution

What is Zoombombing? Zoombombing is a form of online disruption in which uninvited participants use Zoom's screen share or chat features to interrupt a meeting or class. The methods below prevent it.

Choose the method that best fits your meeting. For internal Bowdoin meetings, Method 1 is the strongest option. For meetings with external guests, use Method 2 (waiting room) together with Method 3 (passcode).

Method 1: Bowdoin Accounts Only (Recommended for Internal Meetings)

Restricting a meeting to authenticated Bowdoin accounts means anyone without a Bowdoin Zoom account cannot join — even with the meeting link. This is the most effective method for internal meetings and classes.

When scheduling a meeting, scroll to the Security section and check Only authenticated users can join. In the dropdown, select Sign in to Zoom with a Bowdoin account.

Screenshot showing Zoom's meeting options with Only authenticated users outlined in a red box.

Any participant who attempts to join without a Bowdoin Zoom account will be unable to connect.

Method 2: Waiting Room (Recommended for Public Meetings with External Guests)

The waiting room places all joining participants in a holding area before they enter the meeting. The host must approve each person individually. Participants with Bowdoin accounts who are already authenticated bypass the waiting room automatically — only unauthenticated attendees wait for approval.

The waiting room is turned on by default for all Bowdoin Zoom accounts. When scheduling, verify the Waiting Room checkbox is enabled in the Security section.

A screenshot of meeting options with the Enable waiting room feature checked and circled in red.

Do not disable the waiting room for public meetings. Without it, anyone who obtains the meeting link can join immediately.

Method 3: Meeting Passcode

A meeting passcode adds a second layer of security. Even if someone has the meeting link, they must also know the passcode to join. A passcode is enabled by default for all Bowdoin Zoom accounts.

When scheduling, confirm that Passcode is checked in the Security section. The passcode is included automatically in meeting invitations.

Screenshot showing Zoom meeting ID and passcode options with the Require meeting password box checked.

Best practice: Always use a passcode in combination with the waiting room for any meeting open to the public. Used together, they provide two independent barriers against uninvited participants.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

Print Article

Related Articles (7)

Create a Zoom Meeting
Instructions for scheduling and starting a Zoom meeting, including step-by-step setup through the desktop app and Zoom web portal, with guidance on key security and audio settings.
Enable Screen Sharing in Zoom on a Mac
How to grant Zoom screen recording permission on a Bowdoin Mac so that screen sharing works in meetings — including how to handle the Privileges app if administrator access is needed.
Host a Zoom Webinar
How to request a Zoom webinar license at Bowdoin and use it to schedule, set up roles, run, and end a webinar — including managing panelists, Q&A, and the practice session.
Recommended Zoom Meeting Settings
Recommended Zoom meeting settings for faculty and staff hosting synchronous meetings or classes, covering meeting ID, security, audio, video, and participant options.
Respond to Zoommodifying in a Zoom Meeting
Steps a Zoom host or co-host can take during an active Zoombomb attack — including using the Security button, removing participants, muting controls, stopping screen shares, and locking the meeting.
Set Up Zoom for Office Hours
Instructions for configuring Zoom's waiting room settings to support virtual office hours or conversation hours, so individual student meetings stay private while others wait their turn.
Zoom Meeting Roles: Host, Co-Host, Alternative Host, and Participant
A reference table comparing what the host, co-host, alternative host, and participant roles can do in a Zoom meeting, covering participation controls, participant management, and recording permissions.