Secure Your Web Conference

Have you ever wondered if your web conferences are really private? These tips will help you ensure the people who attend your web conference are the people you want to be there, and your conversations aren't easily intercepted.

#1 - Use passwords. Many web conferencing rooms can be password protected. Use a password for sensitive meetings, or create a new one for special meetings. You might also want to change the password from time to time.

#2 - Set clear limits. Just like you'd handle any off line meeting, make sure participants know the conference is private or sensitive in nature. Be clear who can participate and be invited to the meeting. This way, you won't run the risk of a participant sharing details of the conference with an uninvited person or have an unauthorized person in the same room listening in.

#3 - Try not to send passwords through email. Or at least not in the same email as the other details of the conference such as dates, times, room URLs. Email is still largely insecure and very easily intercepted. If it's a highly sensitive meeting with just a few participants, it might be a better idea to follow up with a phone call or even snail mail if time permits. If email is a must, there are free tools that allow you to encrypt information online. Consider using them.

#4 - For larger groups, create a special member's only area on your web site which contains meeting schedules, room logins and other information meeting participants might need. This reduces the problem of lost and buried emails. Some web conference services include a similar service in the package. Ask your service provider about it.

#5 - Use a secure web conference service. Most web conferencing services are secure but don't just take “our rooms are secure” statements at face value. Ask a few questions like how is it secured? Simple password protection alone is not enough. Ask if data and audio transmitted through the service is encrypted and transferred using secured transmission from end to end.

Next time you have an online conference, try a few of these suggestions. Just like any home security service, there's no guarantee you won't experience a break-in ever; but you're surely making it harder.

About the author:
Lynette Chandler helps small business owners communicate with their customers through web conferencing. Discover what web conferencing can do for your business