Overview

As one of your options for remote meetings and training, Skype requires similar security considerations as other remote meeting services. Below you will find a list of tips for keeping your Skype account and meeting secure.

Security Tips

Choose a strong password to protect your account.
The most basic way to stay safe on Skype is to lock your account with a strong password, so that nobody else can access your account and use Skype while pretending to be you. Use a password that is of significant length and consists of a combination of at least two of letters, numbers, and/or symbols. Also make it something that you’ll remember, but not easily guessable. For example, “baseball” is not a good password, but “b@$e8a77” is a significantly better password.

Enable MFA on your Microsoft Account.
Use this support article from Microsoft to enable advanced security for your Microsoft account. (extra tip: enable 2FA/MFA on any online account you have that supports it)

Be selective about what information you share on your profile.
You can add or edit information in your Skype profile such as your location, email, or phone number to make it easier for friends to find you. If you prefer not to be included in the public search directory, then you can opt out. Opting out will make you unsearchable to anyone in Skype.

Adjust your privacy settings to determine who can contact you on Skype, and how.
To opt out of being discoverable in Skype search:
1. From Chats, select your profile picture.
2. Select Settings, then select Contacts.
3. Select Privacy.
4. Toggle Appear in search results off. You can make yourself discoverable again by toggling the option back on at any time.

Note: If you changed your visibility settings in a newer version of Skype, older versions may no longer accurately display whether you are opted out of Search. Please update to the latest version of Skype or go to your Skype Profile on the web to get the most accurate view of your Settings.

Validate Identity of All Users in a Call
Accounting for every attendee by using a roll call is a secure practice. Ask users to turn on their video or state their name to confirm their identity.

Manage settings that let Skype do things automatically.
You can set up Skype to automatically answer calls if you prefer. (not available in Skype for Web)
• Select your profile picture.
• Select Settings.
• Select Calling.
• Select Answer incoming calls automatically.
• Optionally you can set Start my video automatically as a secondary option

Block suspicious or abusive users.
To block someone, follow these steps:
1. From the Chats or Contacts tab, right click or tap and hold on the contact you want to block and select View profile.
2. Scroll to the bottom of their profile window and select Block contact.
Note: On desktop you can also select the Edit button then select Block contact.
3. From the Block this contact? window, you can:
• Report abuse and then block the contact: Toggle Report abuse from this person on, select a reason, and then select Block.
• Block someone without reporting abuse: Select Block.
4. Once the contact is blocked, they will be removed from your chats and contact list.

Note: If you receive an unwanted call from an unknown phone number, you’ll have the option to block the number right from the chat. Simply select the Block + the number link to block that number.