Microsoft Teams is adding a number of Meetings features to its VoIP calls at a time the security of video conferencing platforms has been thrown into question.
According to the Microsoft 365 roadmap, tabs, bots, in-meeting dialogues, and meeting stages will be available in Teams VoIP calls. All the functionalities of a Teams Meeting can be enjoyed in Teams VoIP Calls.
The meetings and calls may not be so enjoyable, however, if you are having to worry about being hacked through the unusual means of your glasses.
Strange New Hacking Technique
By spying on the reflection in your glasses, hackers are able to steal private information from your computer screen while you are connected to video conferencing solutions, like Microsoft Teams, Webex by Cisco, and Zoom.
A report from researchers at the University of Michigan and Zhejiang University demonstrated how the reflection in glasses could be the source of a data hack.
According to the report, on-screen texts as small as 10mm can be viewed with over 75% accuracy via a 720p webcam.
The experiment was done under controlled laboratory conditions, and results may be affected by real-life variables, such as the skin colour of participants, display brightness, room lighting, the contrast between the text and background, plus the glasses themselves.
Nevertheless, the risk remains a real threat for users of video conferencing applications, particularly those using high-definition cameras, which researchers say will allow hackers to see most header texts on nearly all websites and text documents.
Researchers had a 94% success rate in deciphering which website from Alexa's top 100 websites was on a participant's screen.
The hacking technique could have various applications, including managers spying on employees or competitors stealing crucial information.
Anti-glare glasses may seem like the obvious solution, but these only block out blue light and do not prevent reflections in your glasses.
One simple way to help reduce glasses' reflectivity is to use softer lighting instead of harsh white lights, which increase reflectivity.
You don't need to delete your video conferencing applications just yet, however. Even if you are unlucky enough to be subject to one of these hacks, most hackers are likely to see large texts. If you are not putting your bank and other essential details into font size 28, you should be safe.
