In response to the rise of “Zoombombing,” Vanderbilt University Information Technology (VUIT), in consultation with Academic Affairs and the Center for Teaching, has enabled a security feature on your Vanderbilt Zoom account that will require a password when scheduling new meetings. Enabling the password feature will prevent bad actors from joining your meetings if the meeting ID is discovered.
Please note: For users who are accessing Zoom through a Vanderbilt system like Brightspace or Microsoft Outlook, the password will be connected to the meeting link (URL), and users will not have to enter the password. However, participants that join by entering the nine or 10-digit meeting ID into the Zoom app will be prompted to enter the meeting password before being allowed to join.
The password feature will behave in different ways depending on whether you schedule your meetings through Zoom or Brightspace:
Meetings scheduled through Zoom:
If you are scheduling your Zoom meeting through the VU Zoom portal, Zoom app on your tablet or computer, or the Outlook plug-in, your participants will receive the meeting URL, meeting ID, and meeting password that is generated when the meeting is scheduled. If your participants join the meeting using the meeting URL link, they will not be prompted to enter the meeting password. Participants that join by entering the nine or 10-digit meeting ID into the Zoom app will be prompted to enter the meeting password before being allowed to join.
Meetings scheduled through Brightspace:
If you are scheduling your Zoom meetings through the Brightspace portal, your participants will be able to access the meeting either directly from the Brightspace portal or through the meeting URL link generated when the meeting is scheduled. Both of these methods will allow your participants to join the meeting without having to enter the meeting password. Additionally, if you forward the meeting information that is generated when the meeting is scheduled via email, your participants will receive the meeting URL, meeting ID and meeting password. Participants that join by entering the nine or 10-digit meeting ID into the Zoom app will be prompted to enter the meeting password before being allowed to join. For more information on preventing and responding to Zoombombing in Brightspace, please visit this helpful guide from the Center for Teaching.
Please note that previously scheduled and recurring meetings will not be affected, so VUIT recommends adding a password to these meetings by signing into the meetings section of the VU Zoom Portal, selecting each meeting individually, and scrolling to the bottom to “Edit this Meeting.” Information on how to assign a meeting password, as well as other Zoom security tips, can be found in this recent MyVU article.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the VUIT support number at 615-343-9999 or submit a help request at help.it.vanderbilt.edu.