7 Ways to Protect Your Outlook Account from Spam and Phishing

Published April 24, 2023

Keep Your Inbox Safe and Secure with These 7 Simple Tips

7 Ways to Protect Your Outlook Account from Spam and Phishing

As email remains one of the primary modes of communication, it is crucial to protect your account from spam and phishing attacks. In this article, we will discuss 7 ways to enhance the security of your Outlook account and minimize the risks of falling victim to cybercriminals.

1. Enable the built-in Outlook spam filter

Outlook has a built-in spam filter that helps identify and filter out unwanted emails. Make sure it is enabled to keep spam messages out of your inbox.

Go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Junk email.
Check the box next to Block attachments, pictures, and links from anyone not in my Safe senders and domains list.
Customize the filter settings to your preferences.

2. Use Safe Senders and Blocked Senders lists

Outlook allows you to create a list of trusted senders (Safe Senders) and a list of senders you want to block (Blocked Senders).

To add a sender to your Safe Senders list, go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Junk email > Safe senders and domains.
To add a sender to your Blocked Senders list, go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Junk email > Blocked senders and domains.

3. Report phishing emails

If you receive a phishing email, report it to Outlook so that it can improve its spam filters.

Select the suspicious email, click on the Junk dropdown, and choose Phishing.

4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account. With 2FA enabled, you'll need to provide a unique code sent to your mobile device in addition to your password when signing in.

To enable 2FA, go to Settings > View all Outlook settings > Security & Privacy > Two-step verification.

5. Be cautious with links and attachments

Do not click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources. Always hover over links to check their destinations before clicking.

6. Keep your software up-to-date

Regularly update your Outlook software as well as your operating system and other applications, to benefit from the latest security patches and improvements.

7. Educate yourself on phishing tactics

Stay informed about common phishing tactics and how to recognize them. This knowledge will help you identify potential threats and avoid falling victim to scams.

TL;DR

To enhance the security of your Outlook account, enable the built-in spam filter, use Safe Senders and Blocked Senders lists, report phishing emails, enable two-factor authentication, be cautious with links and attachments, keep your software up-to-date, and educate yourself on phishing tactics. By following these 7 simple tips you can protect your account from spam, phishing attacks, and other email threats.

Where to Buy?

At our online store SOFTFLIX, you can purchase Outlook as a standalone program here or as part of various Microsoft Office packages, such as:

Each package offers a different set of applications and features tailored to specific user needs. Choose the one that best fits your requirements and enhance your Outlook experience!