How to Connect on Online Meetings Without Obscene Popup Ads

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Beware of XXX-rated porn trolls on your online Zoom meetings. Learn about resources for the unemployed and for small businesses that are available.

By Lynne Williams

Beware of XXX-rated porn trolls on your online meetings. I attended a meeting with a Zoom link that was publicly posted on a Meetup and BOOM! There it was – things that grandma should not see. Those were some things I have actually never seen either. Wow! Just wow!

Come to find out, these surprise visuals are called ‘porn-bombing’ or ‘Zoom-bombing,’ and the filth pops up on your screen, according to The Sun and Business Insider.  But, you can stop them from infiltrating your meetings in the first place.

Here are some recommendations to protect yourself from embarrassment and apologies. On your Zoom control panel, disable your screen sharing and switch it to “Host-Only” but feel free to invite Co-hosts who have the same privileges as you as the host. Disable “Allow Removed Participants to Rejoin.” Disable “File Transfer.” Make sure “Join Before Host” is not switched on. Switch to screen sharing for “Host-Only.”

Now that we got that out of the way let’s focus on the bottom rung of Maslow’s Hierarchy of  Needs, namely physiological needs – food, water, warmth, rest, and air. Yes, air … air to breathe. We all need these. Many of us have had the carpet pulled right out from under our feet in the past week. There is nothing but uncertainty that lies ahead.

Let’s discuss unemployment. The Department of Labor Statistics reports the monthly unemployment rate using the U3 and not all six measures of unemployment like they did from 1950 to 2010. The U3 includes the people who are actively looking for a job. The U6 the real unemployment number. It includes those who are unemployed, underemployed, have stopped looking for work, or are long term unemployed who cannot find work, or may have bought or started a business because they could not find a job.

So, before the world changed in March, the real unemployment rate for February 2020, according to ShadowStats, was 21.1%. Save that link and keep a watch on it, especially since the U3 is around 3.9% and projected to go to about 20%. You can do the math and projections for what the U6 might be like down the road.

If you find yourself as a newly displaced worker, here is the link to PA CareerLink so you can get information on unemployment compensation. See the schedule below for our online support meetings as well as online trainings. Everything we offer is currently free, though a suggested small donation for speaker meetings is always appreciated to support our nonprofit if you are not a Bronze member.

If  you need to accelerate your job search on a tight budget or manage your career, explore our resources that include links for remote work.

If you are a small business with questions, contact the local SCORE chapter in your locale. They can share resources with you from the SBA: Chester & Delaware County or Montgomery County or TriCounty.

If you are employed and have the means to pay it forward,think how you can: 1) support family and friends in need, 2) the most vulnerable, 3) nonprofits, 4) places of worship, 5) anyone who is self-employed, etc.

In the meantime, do the right thing and stay home and stay safe to keep yourself and others safe and pray that our scientists can produce a cure.

Have you shared this article on LinkedIn? It might help someone in need.

If you are a working-age adult, come learn and network with us … safely … online.

ALL OF THESE ARE HELD VIRTUALLY ON ZOOM AND THE SCHEDULE MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

  • 3/20 Career Success Group
  • 3/23 Career Success Group
  • 3/23 LinkedIn Open Discussion Forum Q & A – Lynne Williams
  • 3/23 Job Search Process for Mature Adults – Lise Schwartz
  • 3/24 Career Success Group
  • 3/24 LinkedIn Strategies Part 4 of 5 – Lynne Williams
  • 3/25 How to Get Back in the Game Lunch and Learn – Ken Sher
  • 3/26 What’s Your Shtick? Personal Branding Online and Off – Lynne Williams
  • 3/26 Job Hunting is a Numbers Game – Casey Fehl
  • 3/27 Career Success Group
  • 3/30 Career Success Group
  • 3/30 Jobseeker Support Meeting
  • 3/31 30 Second Success – Laura Templeton
  • 3/31 LinkedIn Strategies Part 5 of 5 – Lynne Williams
  • 4/1 Insider Secrets to a Successful Job Search – Bill McCann
  • 4/2 Career Success Group
  • 4/3 Career Success Group

Missed the previous LinkedIn article on How to Make A Word Cloud for LinkedIn Click here!

______

Lynne Williams. Ed.D. Candidate is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Area Great Careers Group, a 501(c)3 nonprofit of over 4400 members providing career education and networking.

Contact Lynne by phone at 484-393-2951, email at director@greatcareersphl.org, on social media @GreatCareersPHL and #GreatCareersPHL and connect on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewilliams

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