If the host computer is sharing one application, the software theoretically, only applies the mouse clicks and keyboard inputs to that app. The host computer receives and applies the clicks and typing to the specific pixels clicked or typed on. When they click or type, the software sends the click and typing data to the host computer.

The software shows the participant a screen share of the other computer, but also allows them to click and type within. Remote control allows a participant in a meeting to send keyboard (keystrokes) and mouse inputs to a remote computer. The only risk with screen share comes from unintentionally showing private information on your screen, but with remote control it is another story. Screen share works by taking video (frames or pixels) of your screen or one application and sending them to other participants in your meeting. The ability to share part or all of your screen during a video call is useful. In the typical scenario, the participant is controlling a conference room computer connected to a projector, or something similar.īefore getting to remote control, we need to cover screen share. The remote control feature found in some video conference software was developed in order for a participant to be able to control a presentation (usually PowerPoint) being run on a another computer. Ref What is Remote Control in a Video Call? Zoom has since fixed the vulnerability, however the problem has brought to light the security problems with allowing people to 'remote control' your computer during a video call. Last November, 2018, a vulnerability was discovered in the Zoom video conferencing software which allowed attackers to hijack screen controls.

Online screen sharing and control