Cybercriminals Are Now Targeting Business Collaboration Tools

Collaboration Tools Have Changed How We Work

Five years ago, most businesses relied on emails, phone calls, and in-person meetings to communicate. Fast forward to today, and tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom have completely changed the way we work.

Whether it's real-time messaging, video calls, or file sharing, these tools have made it easier than ever for teams to collaborate. Even people who had never touched a collaboration tool before are now using them like pros.

But as businesses have embraced these tools, so have cybercriminals, and they see them as a new way to break into company networks.

The Tools Themselves Are Safe – Hackers Exploit Your Familiarity

Let's get one thing clear: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and other collaboration tools are safe. The companies behind them invest heavily in security.

The problem isn't the software itself but how hackers manipulate people into giving them access. Cybercriminals know you trust these tools and use that trust against you.

 Here's how they do it. 

Phishing Attacks: Tricking You With Familiarity

Phishing is one of the most common ways hackers take advantage of collaboration tools.

 Imagine this:

1. You receive an email saying a coworker has shared a file with you.
2. You recognize the name, so you click the link.
3. A login page appears. It looks exactly like the Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Drive login page.
4. You enter your username and password.

That's it. You've just handed your login credentials to a hacker.

Now they can:

1. Log in to your account.
2. Send messages or files as if they were you.
3. Target your coworkers, pretending to be you.

Because the email came from someone you know, and the login page looked real, you didn't think twice. That's what makes phishing so dangerous.

Weak Passwords: An Easy Way In

Not everyone in your company has the same level of cybersecurity awareness. Some people still use easy-to-guess passwords such as their child's name, pet's name, or birthdate, information that's often publicly available on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Even though most collaboration tools force complex passwords, that doesn't stop password reuse.

 Here's why that's a problem:

1. Hackers steal login credentials from data breaches on other websites.
2. If an employee reuses the same password for their business email (e.g., jane@yourbusiness.com), hackers will try it on Microsoft Teams, Slack, or your company's email system.
3. If it works, they now have access to your workplace.

It's not just about having a strong password; it's about using a unique password for every system.

Supply Chain Attacks: When the Hack Comes From Outside Your Business

Your business doesn't have to be the one that gets hacked. It could be a supplier, partner, or contractor.

For example:

1. You and your supplier share a spreadsheet via Google Drive.
2. One day, you get an email from them with a link to the spreadsheet.
3. You trust them, so you click the link.
4. But the email wasn't actually from your supplier; it was from a hacker who gained access to their account.

The hacker now has a way into your business, using your supplier's identity.

Because businesses collaborate across multiple platforms, these attacks can spread from one company to another like a chain reaction.

Oversharing and Open Access: Leaving the Door Unlocked

We've all done it: quickly sharing a file with someone by sending them a link. But here's where things go wrong:

1. Many people don't set an expiry date for shared links.
2. Some links give anyone with the link full access, including the ability to edit files.
3. If you share an entire folder, all files inside it may be visible, even ones that should remain private.

That means old employees, external contractors, or even hackers who come across the link might still have access to company data long after they should.

How to Protect Your Business

Cybercriminals rely on human error, but there are steps you can take to stop them from gaining access to your collaboration tools.

1. Employee Awareness Training

Most attacks start with a simple mistake: clicking the wrong link, entering a password on a fake page, or using a weak password.

Regular cybersecurity training can:

1. Teach employees how to spot phishing attacks.
2. Show them how to check if a shared link is legitimate.
3. Encourage them to use strong, unique passwords for each system.

2. Always Verify Suspicious Links

If you receive an email or message about a shared file, don't click the link right away. Instead:

1. Contact the sender through another method (e.g., call them or send a separate email).
2. Ask if they actually sent the link.
3. If you weren't expecting the file, assume it could be a phishing attempt.

3. Adopt Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even if a hacker steals a password, they still can't get in if 2FA is enabled.

Two-factor authentication requires a second form of verification, such as a text message code or an authentication app, making it much harder for attackers to access your account.

4. Audit Who Has Access to What

Regularly review:

1. Who has access to shared files and folders.
2. Whether old employees, external contractors, or third-party vendors still have access.
3. If shared links have expiry dates or open-access settings.

Keeping access tightly controlled reduces the risk of unauthorized users getting in.

Need Help Securing Your Collaboration Tools?

Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom are fantastic for working together, but they also open new security risks if not managed properly.

If you're not sure how to:

1. Train your team to avoid phishing attacks.
2. Set up strong passwords and 2FA across your business.
3. Audit access controls to lock down sensitive data.

That's where we come in.

We help businesses like yours secure collaboration tools, prevent cyberattacks, and stay protected.

Let's talk. Contact us today at 903-347-0073 to make sure your business stays one step ahead of cybercriminals.