Zoom releases two-factor authentication for desktop and mobile app
Video calling service Zoom has made two-step verification available for the desktop app and the mobile app. It will be available for all Zoom accounts. This security feature was already present, but was then limited to the web version of Zoom.
Zoom says in a blog post that users and admins can turn on two-step verification in the Zoom Dashboard. To set it up, those interested need a phone number that can receive text messages, or an Android or iOS device that can receive text messages or has a 2fa app running on the time-based one-time password protocol. is based. It is also configurable via the Zoom desktop client for Windows, macOS or Linux and in Zoom Rooms.
In addition to this wider availability of two-factor authentication for Zoom, there are also more options for the second step in the 2fa process, where the user receives a one-time login code. Previously, this was only possible via the totp protocol with authentication apps such as Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator and FreeOTP, but now that code can also be passed on via text message or a telephone call. There is also support for it recovery codes, in the event that a user would no longer have access to the 2fa codes, for example because the device is lost, the 2fa app is no longer installed or Zoom has been removed from the 2fa app.
This move by Zoom is in line with the video calling service’s aim to improve security and privacy. The company had faced quite a few security holes before, after which new security features were announced. The company was criticized over the summer for initially offering only end-to-end encryption to paying customers, but two weeks later Zoom decided to make it available to users who don’t pay for the service.