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Slack is a cloud-based productivity tool that has become increasingly popular. Businesses, teams and individuals have been using it to stay organized, share files and messages, and collaborate on projects.
Slack’s popularity stems from its ease of use, and it is free to use for up to ten people. But what are the security risks with Slack? Is Slack secure?
These questions are important because they affect us all — especially if you work in a regulated industry like healthcare or financial services, where confidentiality and security are crucial.
In this article, we will talk about some of the people’s concerns regarding Slack’s security and privacy. We’ll also discuss how Slack manages data and security threats and what you can do to protect yourself if you’re concerned about these issues.
Slack’s security and privacy concerns:
Slack is one of the most secure communication apps, but security experts have warned that its popularity makes it an appealing target for hackers.
It has been criticized for not being as secure as competitors like Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business. For example, messages sent through Slack are not encrypted by default, meaning that if someone were to hack into its servers, they would be able to read all of your messages. In addition to this, there have been occasional reports that Slack has been sharing some user data with third parties without the users’ consent or knowledge.
The risks associated with using Slack are as follows:
Data breaches:
Slack stores your data in the cloud and may be subject to a breach if its security is compromised. The company takes measures to protect your data, but if hackers get access to your account, they could gain access to other accounts on your team and sensitive corporate information stored there. Slack promises that it has taken steps to ensure this doesn’t happen by encrypting all data before sending it over HTTPS to its servers, but if someone breaks into their infrastructure, they could still be at risk.
Privacy concerns:
Slack has some built-in privacy features, such as the ability to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) and limit what information others can see about you.
Security threats:
Some users may find their account hacked or be forced into giving up their password by phishing attacks or other social engineering tactics used by attackers.
Data collection:
Like many other apps, Slack collects user information like passwords, contacts, and messages to provide better user experiences. This data is stored on company servers, which hackers could access if their systems are breached.
How does Slack manage data and security threats?
Slack is a popular collaboration tool that you can use to communicate with colleagues and clients. It’s a great way to keep everyone on the same page and organized.
But here comes a question:
How secure is Slack for your business?
It’s important to know how Slack manages security threats, especially if your business uses the app for sensitive data.
Here are some of the ways how Slack handles all the sensitive information of its users:
Secure data:
Slack is built on top of Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most reliable cloud computing platforms globally. It means your data will be safe from any potential disruptions or failures.
Encryption:
All sensitive information sent over Slack is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 with AES-256 encryption — the same level of encryption used by banks and other financial institutions to protect their customers’ personal information.
Two-factor authentication (2FA):
2FA requires users to enter an additional code when logging in from a new device or location to keep intruders out of their account and secure access to their files and messages. This extra step makes it harder for hackers to gain access without knowing your username and password.
Are your Slack chats private?
Slack is a great way for teams to collaborate, but it’s not always secure when it comes to confidential chats.
Slack offers two primary ways to chat with your team: private one-on-one conversations and group chat rooms. Both have their pros and cons. Private chats are great because they’re confidential, but they can also be confusing to navigate when looking for a specific person to message. Group chats are more transparent and easier to find people in, but you also run the risk of someone accidentally sharing sensitive information with the wrong people.
How can you use Slack securely?
Slack has some major security flaws, which malicious hackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access and steal sensitive data from your company.
How to stay safe on Slack is a huge concern nowadays due to the increased rate of hacking and cyber crimes by criminals who exploit in-app vulnerabilities.
The most common step towards using Slack securely is knowing what information you’re storing. If you’re using Slack as an internal communication tool, you’ll want to ensure that only authorized users have access to certain channels (including private ones). Always keep changing your password periodically (if possible) so that if someone does gain access to one of your accounts, it can’t easily be hacked into.
Is it secure: Slack login credentials exploited(2022)
On December 31, 2022, Slack faced a security breach that impacted several customers. The attackers managed to gain unauthorized access to private GitHub code repositories, which raised serious concerns due to the sensitive information typically stored there.
How the attackers managed to access private GitHub Code Repositories
The attackers exploited a vulnerability in Slack’s authentication system to gain entry. They used a method known as “brute force,” attempting to guess an organization’s password repeatedly until they eventually succeeded.
Source: Spiceworks
With this unauthorized access, they obtained the token linked to the organization’s account, granting them entry to the confidential code repositories hosted on GitHub.
The fact that the attackers succeeded through a brute force attack highlights the oversight or neglect of this specific aspect of Slack’s authentication system.
Slack’s course of action
In response to the incident, Slack promptly rendered the stolen tokens invalid. They initiated an investigation into the potential impact on customers. On New Year’s Eve, they released an update addressing the security breach, offering customers guidance on mitigating any potential risks or damages stemming from the breach.
Furthermore, they established a dedicated page containing comprehensive information to assist customers in safeguarding their accounts and data moving forward.
Is Slack good for privacy now?
Slack has worked tremendously to improve its privacy features, is compliant with several international standards and works to maintain internal security. It revised its security posture on April 24, 2023, including a comprehensive yet 360-degree approach to better practices.
Cyber security is not an easy game
As we have witnessed how one application can affect others, there comes the responsibility we must take on our shoulders to be safe for ourselves.
Taking care of our data and communication is our duty. So it’s better to choose your defense system for that. Slack affected Uber and has experienced many data breaches in recent years. Also, the application has shown specific vulnerabilities.
With evolving strategies of cybercriminals, having a consistent approach to building better security measures is commendable. Slack has worked well with its latest security policy. It is now your turn to take a step forward. Protect what belongs to you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Slack is a PCI Level 4 Merchant. It completed the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard’s SAQ-A.
Slack is internationally recognized in
– Security certifications for ISO 27001 (information security management system),
– ISO 27017 (security controls for the provision and use of cloud services) and
– ISO 27018 (for protecting personal data in the cloud).
Data at rest in Slack’s production network is encrypted using FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption standards.
No, Slack relies on third-party apps to provide DLP functionality in Slack. Nightfall is a Slack DLP partner.
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