If you use Microsoft Teams daily to work, collaborate, or communicate with clients, there’s an important update you should know about. Starting in January 2026, Microsoft will reinforce Teams message security by activating key protections by default—a move aimed at stopping the rising wave of attacks that use the platform as an entry point.
At TecnetOne, we view this change as a clear sign of where enterprise cybersecurity is heading: fewer optional settings, more built-in protections from day one. But what does this mean in practice for you and your company?
Teams hasn’t been “just a chat tool” for a while. It’s now a digital workspace hub, where users share links, documents, files, and make critical decisions. With over 320 million active users per month, it has also become a top target for cybercriminals.
In recent years, Teams-related attacks have grown significantly, especially:
Microsoft is well aware—and is now activating security features automatically that were previously optional or required manual configuration.
Starting January 12, 2026, automatic activation will affect organizations that:
If your organization has already tailored these settings, you won’t see automatic changes. But if you’ve never touched the configuration, Teams will enable the protections without asking.
Learn more: Microsoft Teams: Security Flaws Let Hackers Pose as Your Coworkers
Microsoft has confirmed that three key features will be enabled automatically. Here's what they are:
Teams will begin automatically blocking file types deemed “weaponizable”—formats attackers often use to deliver malware or malicious scripts.
In practice:
It’s a strong but effective measure to prevent internal infections.
The second protection analyzes links shared in messages. If a URL appears suspicious or potentially harmful:
This is especially helpful against internal phishing, where the message may seem to come from a trusted coworker.
To balance security with usability, Microsoft is also enabling a mechanism to report incorrect detections.
If users believe:
They can report it, helping improve the system and reduce daily workflow friction.
If your organization is affected by the update, you may start seeing:
This isn’t a bug—it’s Teams working with stronger built-in protection.
If you’re responsible for IT or security, this change shouldn’t catch you off guard. Microsoft has been clear: if you don’t want these protections auto-enabled, you must review and customize your settings before January 12, 2026.
Recommended actions:
Path: Messaging > Messaging settings > Messaging safety
At TecnetOne, we also suggest:
This move by Microsoft is part of a broader effort to address Teams as a growing attack channel. In recent months, the company has also:
The strategy is clear: harden Teams at the core, not just via manual configuration.
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This shift reflects a broader trend: security can no longer be optional. Many breaches don’t happen due to a lack of tools—they happen because critical options were never enabled.
By activating protections by default, Microsoft:
But this also means companies must understand and adapt to how these controls affect workflows.
Based on our experience, these are the key steps to make the most of this update:
Microsoft’s decision to reinforce Teams messaging security by default is great news for most organizations. It addresses a growing threat and raises the security baseline across the board.
But as always, technology isn’t enough. Understanding the change, communicating clearly, and adjusting internal processes will make the difference between a smooth upgrade and operational confusion.
At TecnetOne, we help you assess the impact of these changes in your environment—turning them into an advantage, not a disruption. Because in modern digital collaboration, security is no longer optional—it’s essential.