Protect
Your Outlook from Phishing Attacks

A step-by-step guide to enabling phishing protection and securing your emails.

✅Easy-to-follow instructions for all Outlook versions.
🛡️Understand the different levels of protection available.

Why Protecting Your Outlook from Phishing

Phishing emails are a common threat, designed to steal your personal information. This guide shows you how to enable built-in phishing protection in Microsoft Outlook, giving you an extra layer of defense against these deceptive emails.
Bank Card on a hook

By following these steps, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing scams and keep your sensitive data secure. This guide covers Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, and Outlook for Microsoft 365.

Enabling Phishing Protection in Outlook

To enable phishing protection, start by going to the 'Home' tab in Outlook and clicking on 'Junk' in the 'Delete' group. Then, select 'Junk E-mail Options'.
An illustration of email being blocked by sender email address.

In the 'Junk E-mail Options' window, you can adjust your protection level:

* Low: Filters obvious junk email messages.

* High: Filters more junk emails but may move safe messages to the Junk folder.

* Safe Lists Only: Only allows messages from contacts in your Safe Senders or Safe Recipients lists to reach your Inbox. Other messages go to the Junk folder.

You should also select 'Warn me about suspicious domain names in email addresses' for extra protection.

For permanent deletion of suspected junk emails, select 'Permanently delete suspected junk email instead of moving it to the Junk Email folder.' However, be aware that accidentally marked emails will be deleted permanently as well.

Click 'OK' to save your settings. Keeping your Outlook spam filter up to date is also critical; make sure to use Microsoft or Office Update.

Reporting Phishing Messages in Outlook

If you receive a suspicious email, report it to Microsoft to help improve spam filters. Select the message, go to the 'Home' tab, and click 'Junk'.

Choose 'Report as Phishing' to flag a phishing email or 'Report as Junk' for regular spam.

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Enable phishing protection to safeguard your sensitive data and enjoy a safer email experience.

Microsoft

Enhance Your Security

Additional resources to keep you safe

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Security Tips

Learn about the common signs of a phishing email and how to identify them. Stay informed and protect yourself.

Missing Report Phishing Option?

If the 'Report Junk' or 'Report Phishing' option is missing, enable the Microsoft Junk Email Reporting Add-in:

1. Go to the 'File' tab and select 'Options'.

2. In the Outlook Options dialog box, select the 'Add-ins' tab.

3. In the 'Inactive Applications' list, select 'Microsoft Junk Email Reporting Add-in'.

4. Select the 'Manage' dropdown, choose 'COM Add-ins', then select 'Go'.

5. Select the 'Microsoft Junk Email Reporting Add-in' checkbox and click 'OK'. Restart Outlook if prompted.

If the add-in is not listed, download it from Microsoft.