Zoom is a web-based video conferencing platform that allows users to communicate with one another in real time through video, audio, and chat. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were forced to work and communicate remotely.

Zoom was founded in 2011 by Eric Yuan, who had previously worked as a vice president of engineering at Cisco Webex. Yuan started Zoom with the aim of creating a video conferencing platform that was both easy to use and reliable. Today, Zoom has grown into a company with over 2,500 employees and more than 400,000 customers.

One of the main reasons why Zoom has become so popular is its ease of use. Zoom can be accessed through a web browser or by downloading the Zoom app on a desktop or mobile device. Once a user has created an account, they can quickly set up a meeting and invite others to join by sharing a link or sending an invitation through email.

Zoom also offers a range of features that make it a powerful tool for communication and collaboration. For example, users can share their screen with others, which is especially useful for giving presentations or demonstrating how to use a particular tool or software. Zoom also allows users to record meetings, which can be helpful for those who are unable to attend the meeting in real time.

Another important feature of Zoom is its ability to host large meetings with up to 1,000 participants. This makes it a popular choice for webinars, online classes, and other events where many people need to be able to participate simultaneously.

Zoom also has a chat function that allows users to send messages to one another during a meeting. This can be helpful for asking questions or sharing links or other information. Additionally, Zoom offers breakout rooms, which allow participants to split into smaller groups for discussion or collaboration before coming back together as a whole group.

While Zoom has many benefits, it is important to be aware of potential security risks. In 2020, Zoom came under fire for a range of security and privacy issues, including “Zoombombing” (when uninvited participants join a meeting) and concerns over the company’s data privacy practices. Zoom has since made significant efforts to improve its security and privacy, including adding end-to-end encryption and implementing new security features to prevent Zoombombing.