Why LinkedIn Has Been Slow or Down: The SharePoint Hack Explained
By The X Concept | Published: July 22, 2025
If you’ve tried using LinkedIn over the past few days and found it frustratingly slow, unresponsive, or even completely down at times, you’re not alone. Professionals worldwide have taken to social media to vent about sluggish load times, messages not sending, or pages failing to load. While LinkedIn hasn’t officially pointed to a single cause, a major hack / cyberattack targeting Microsoft’s SharePoint software, which began a few days ago on July 19, 2025, seems to be a big piece of the puzzle. In this blog post, The X Concept breaks down what’s happening in simple terms, how it might be affecting LinkedIn, and what it means for you.
What Was the SharePoint Hack?
A few days ago, hackers found a weak spot in Microsoft SharePoint, a tool many companies use to store and share documents and manage internal workflows. This weak spot, called a “zero-day vulnerability,” let attackers sneak into SharePoint servers without needing a password. Once inside, they could steal sensitive data, plant harmful software, or even mess with other connected systems like email or file-sharing tools.
Microsoft confirmed that these attacks hit a wide range of organizations; think government offices, universities, energy companies, and tech firms. The hack, nicknamed “ToolShell,” started as early as July 7 but ramped up significantly over the weekend. It’s a big deal because SharePoint is used by thousands of businesses, and the attack has caused chaos for many.
How Does This Affect LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, and while it runs mostly on cloud-based systems, it likely uses SharePoint for internal operations like managing employee data, project files, or team collaboration. When hackers target SharePoint, it can create a domino effect:
- Overloaded Systems: Hackers exploiting SharePoint can flood servers with malicious activity, slowing everything down. If LinkedIn’s internal systems are affected, this could make the platform sluggish for users trying to browse profiles, apply for jobs, or send messages.
- Fixing the Problem: To stop the hackers, IT teams may need to take servers offline, update software, or reset security settings. These fixes can cause temporary outages or slowdowns, which you might notice as a user.
- Connected Services: SharePoint often links to other Microsoft tools like Teams or OneDrive. If hackers move from SharePoint to these systems, it can create extra strain across the network, impacting LinkedIn’s performance indirectly.
While there’s no hard proof that the SharePoint hack directly caused LinkedIn’s issues, the timing lines up. Posts on X show users complaining about LinkedIn’s performance starting around the same time the attack was reported, suggesting a connection.
Who’s Behind It?
Microsoft and cybersecurity experts say at least three groups, are involved in the attack. These groups are known for targeting big organizations to steal data or spy on operations. Other cybercriminals have also jumped in, trying to cash in on the chaos by stealing information or locking systems for ransom. This mix of sophisticated and opportunistic attackers makes the situation messier.
For a platform like LinkedIn, which holds a goldmine of professional data; resumes, job histories, connections; this kind of attack is especially concerning. Even if user data hasn’t been directly compromised, the hack could make it easier for attackers to target LinkedIn users with phishing emails or fake messages.
What’s the Impact on You?
If you’re a LinkedIn user, you’ve probably felt the frustration of pages taking forever to load or features not working properly. Here’s what you might be experiencing:
- Slow Performance: Job searches, profile views, or messaging might be laggy or fail to load.
- Outages: Some users report LinkedIn being completely down at times, especially over the weekend.
- Worries About Data: While there’s no evidence of a user data breach, the hack raises questions about how secure your information is.
These issues can be a headache, especially if you rely on LinkedIn for networking, job hunting, or staying in touch with colleagues.
What Are Microsoft and LinkedIn Doing?
Microsoft is working overtime to fix the SharePoint problem. They’ve released updates to patch the vulnerability for most SharePoint versions and are urging companies to apply them immediately. They’re also suggesting ways to lock down servers, like resetting security keys and using antivirus tools to catch malicious activity. For older SharePoint systems, fixes are still in the works, which means some organizations are still vulnerable.
LinkedIn hasn’t made a public statement about the hack specifically, but as part of Microsoft, they’re likely working closely with Microsoft’s security team to check their systems and keep things running smoothly. If you’re curious about updates, keep an eye on LinkedIn’s official blog or their X account for news.
What Can You Do?
As a LinkedIn user, you can’t fix the platform’s servers, but you can take steps to protect yourself:
Check Your Account: Look for anything odd, like messages you didn’t send or strange login attempts. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra security.
Watch for Scams: Hackers might use this chaos to send fake LinkedIn emails or messages asking for your password. Be skeptical of any unexpected links or requests.
Change Your Password: If you reuse passwords across sites, now’s a good time to create a strong, unique one for LinkedIn.
Report Problems: If LinkedIn is acting up, let their support team know. It helps them spot patterns and fix issues faster.
Why This Matters
This hack is a reminder of how connected our online tools are. When one part of a company’s system—like Microsoft’s SharePoint; gets hit, it can ripple out to platforms like LinkedIn that we use every day. It also shows why big tech companies face constant pressure to stay ahead of hackers, especially when millions of users’ work lives depend on their services.
At The X Concept, we’re committed to keeping you informed about what’s happening in tech and how it affects you. The SharePoint hack is a wake-up call for companies to strengthen their defenses and for users to stay cautious. As LinkedIn and Microsoft sort this out, we’ll keep you posted on any new developments.
Follow The X Concept on Linkedin for the latest on tech, cybersecurity, and more.
Sources:
- The Hacker News: SharePoint Attack Causes Global Disruptions
- Microsoft Security Blog: Addressing SharePoint Server Vulnerabilities
- CNBC: Microsoft Faces New Cybersecurity Challenge
- Axios: Hackers Target Microsoft Systems in Widespread Attack
- Forbes: SharePoint Hack Hits Businesses Worldwide