Webex
Summary
Webex is a video call app targeted to business users. It has improved its free version since the pandemic hit, offering up to 100 participants per call and meetings with no time limit. Webex offers the standard fare of video call app features such as high quality video and audio, screen sharing and recording, and so on. Webex is used by many healthcare businesses and Cisco is known to be more security conscious than most. A win-win for Webex.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
May 2020
The May 7 compromise hit six Cisco servers that provided backend connectivity to the Virtual Internet Routing Lab. This service allowed customers to design and test network topologies without having to deploy actual equipment. However, Cisco released software updates and remediedd the situation quickly. No personal information seemed to have been leaked.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Cisco Webex puts a strong emphasis on security with its products. As a product that's used frequently by healthcare providers, that is a good thing. WebEx's password requirement for free users is a bit weaker than for paid and business users, so please try to use a password that is long and complicated.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Cisco collects personal information on users such as name, address, phone number, and clickstream behavior. It also states it collects personal information from third-party sources and then engages third parties to collect personal information on you. Cisco and these third parties can then use your personal information for service and marketing purposes.
Good Things
- Webex uses encryption and has an end-to-end encryption option for Webex meetings.
- Cisco has a bug bounty program.
Bad Things
- WebEx's password requirement for free users is a bit weaker than for paid and business users, so please try to use a password that is long and complicated.
- Cisco and third parties can use your personal information for marketing and service purposes.
Final Thoughts
Cisco has a strong emphasis on security for their products. Webex gives the option to have end-to-end encrypted calls, and gives users a platform for private calls. However, Cisco does collect personal information to perform marketing services. Webex is a secure product to use otherwise.