Microsoft has introduced the Loop workspace to Teams, a tool designed to help meeting organizers centralize shared files and resources efficiently. This feature is rolling out across Teams on Windows, Mac, and web clients and seeks to make locating content from recurring meetings more straightforward.
Managing Meeting Content with Ease
With the Loop workspace, organizers of recurring meetings involving 2 to 50 attendees can create a dedicated space for all shared files at the end of each meeting. The workspace automatically updates with new content added in future sessions, although it does not track regular text chats or shared links.
This focus helps users access essential documents without wading through lengthy conversation threads. Once a workspace is set up, it can be accessed through a meeting chat link or via the Loop app.
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Town Hall Events Get a Major Upgrade
Teams Town hall, a feature catering to one-to-many presentations, will double its attendee capacity from 20,000 to 50,000 starting in December 2024. This change supports organizations needing larger event spaces while maintaining stable performance by limiting interactivity for events exceeding 20,000 participants. Teams Premium license holders will benefit from this enhancement.
Redesigns and Enhancements Throughout 2024
In October Microsoft unveiled a major Teams redesign, integrating chats, channels, and meeting updates into one view. Filters like “Unread” and “Channels” were added to help users manage high message volumes. The updated interface streamlines how teams interact, cutting down the need to switch tabs and enhancing the overall experience.
Earlier, in August, the release of a unified Teams app combined work, personal, and educational profiles into one platform. Users can switch between accounts and join meetings as guests without signing in. This move addressed the challenge of juggling multiple Teams apps, simplifying communication for users.
Ongoing AI Integration in Teams
July saw the rollout of Copilot’s speaker recognition, which identifies speakers in meeting transcripts and minimizes background noise. This AI-based feature will extend to desktop apps and Android by mid-2025. In June, Microsoft added Custom Tone to Copilot, enabling users to adjust their message style and translate content. These tools aim to make communication within Teams more adaptable and personalized.
Security Risks and Emerging Phishing Tactics
Last month, ReliaQuest reported that the ransomware group Black Basta has adopted new phishing strategies using Microsoft Teams as an entry point. By impersonating IT support staff and leveraging external accounts created via Microsoft Entra ID, attackers were able to send QR codes embedded in chats, leading employees to credential-harvesting sites. These tactics build on a wider trend of using less detectable phishing strategies within popular platforms (ReliaQuest report).
Growth of QR Code Phishing
This approach is part of a broader surge in phishing techniques. In August, Netskope Threat Labs documented a sharp rise in QR code phishing attacks targeting Microsoft 365, specifically using Microsoft Sway. These phishing emails bypass typical security scans by embedding QR codes that, when scanned on mobile devices, direct users to deceptive login pages.
Microsoft has been proactive in countering phishing by deploying honeypots in its Azure ecosystem. These decoy systems divert attackers and provide valuable insights into evolving threats. Yet, vulnerabilities persist. A weakness discovered in August allowed attackers to bypass the ‘First Contact Safety Tip,’ a security feature intended to alert users to emails from unfamiliar senders. Microsoft has acknowledged this flaw, though a permanent solution remains pending.
