But, if Zoom is what you have and are using (and it's something I personally continue to use), here are some basic safety measures you can take:

1. For events: Use Zoom webinar NOT meeting. Webinar hosts can preemptively prevent ANYONE who isn't a panelist/host from showing any video or making audio. Webinar costs extra. Factor it into budget. If you have institutional support tell them they need to pay for it for events.

2. For a meeting that requires discussion, like a class - consider locking the meeting after a set number of minutes so other people can't randomly join. This can make it harder for people to join late but if it is a huge group, can prevent randos from jumping on.

3. DO NOT post the Zoom link publicly on any materials on any social media ever anywhere no matter what. Make people RSVP. Send the link privately only. Zoom now automatically sets a password for meetings due to intense criticism in the last couple weeks but this is not enough.

3. (cont.) Make sure the links you send to the Zoom meeting do not include the password in the link itself. Check the URL carefully before sharing it with anyone. Some automatically include the password in the URL.

4. For a meeting, enable the "waiting room" feature. If it's a class or a planned group, for instance, you can "admit" people whose names you recognize (or are on an approved and vetted RSVP list), and deny or ignore anyone else.

5. Consider pros and cons of enabling or disabling the features to (a) send private messages to individual other people and (b) send public chat messages to everyone. Both can be quick avenues for abuse and harassment.

5. (cont.) Consider setting up a general form (Google Forms or elsewhere) to receive questions, or take questions over Twitter using an event hashtag, instead of allowing any type of Zoom chat box messages.

(6) If you have access to one, use a VPN. It's generally good privacy and safety practice.

7. If you're showing your video on Zoom webinar or meeting, consider making sure you are against a plain wall, nothing identifiable. Or use one of Zoom's virtual backgrounds.

7. (cont.) Unless you know all the people you're meeting with pretty well, or it's a secret and private meeting that only a few people have the link for, you probably don't want potential strangers (let alone abusive trolls) seeing the place you're staying or working.

These measures will not prevent ANY possible abuse or harassment, but they will make it that much harder for the assholes to jump on and take over your event.

Please share with attribution.