New Microsoft Outlook Phish Alert Button

New Microsoft Outlook Phish Alert Button

Phishing is undeniably one of the most common types of cybercrimes, impacting several businesses and organizations around the globe. Recent studies reveal that 74% of organizations in the United States experienced a successful phishing attack in 2020, representing a 30% higher rate than the global average. With the revelation that 96% of phishing attacks arrive by email, the new Phish Alert Button or PAB has never come at the right time. This blog provides everything you need to know about the new Phish Alert Button.

What Is the New Phish Alert Button?

The Phish Alert Button (PAB) is an add-in for Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Exchange, Microsoft Outlook that allows employees to protect your organization by taking the right action after receiving a phishing email or any other malicious email. Ideally, your employees can use the PAB to quickly delete and report phishing emails to the relevant IT department in your organization for further investigation and remedial actions.

How Do I Know What to Report?

Ideally, you should only use the PAB to report emails that you suspect are malicious, such as phishing or spear-phishing emails, but not spam emails. Ideally, phishing emails refer to bulk messages that appear to be from reputable organizations asking you to take some specific actions that eventually cause a breach in your organization’s systems, networks, or data.

On the other hand, spear phishing emails are scam messages targeted at a specific individual or organization. Typically, an email is sent, apparently from a trustworthy source, but upon opening, it leads the unsuspecting recipient to malicious websites full of malware. Notably, using PAB to report spam or marketing emails to IT will only waste their time and resources. Instead, you can delete and block such messages from your inbox.

How Do I Use the PAB Tool?

Outlook Web Access

While viewing your email on outlook web access online, follow the steps below to report a phishing email:

• Step 1: open the PAB: Click the three dots in the right corner of an open email to find the Phish Alert Button menu.
• Step 2: Report the email: Report the suspected phishing email by clicking the Phish Alert icon.
• Step 3: Confirm your actions: A sidebar prompt asking if you want to report the phishing email will display. Confirm your actions by clicking the PAB. Once confirmed, the phishing email will be deleted from your inbox and forwarded to your IT team for remedial action.

Microsoft Windows Outlook

While viewing your email, follow the steps below to report a phishing email on Microsoft Windows Outlook:

• Step 1: Locate the PAB: You can find the Phish Alert Button in the Outlook Ribbon at the top of your screen. Find the envelope icon with the orange Fish Hook. Alternatively, look for the words “Phish Alert” on the text link at the top of an open email.
• Step 2: Report the phishing email: Click the Phish Alert on the ribbon or in the text link at the top of the email to report a suspicious email
• Step 3: Confirm your actions: Once you click the PAB, a prompt asking you to confirm your action appears. Once confirmed, the phishing email will be immediately forwarded to the relevant IT team for further action.

Outlook Mobile App (Android)

While viewing your email on the outlook mobile app (Android), follow the steps below to report a suspicious email:

• Step 1: Locate the three dots on any open email
• Step 2: Click on the Phish Alert add-in that appears at the top-right of the screen
• Step 3:  A prompt asking you to confirm you want to report the phishing email will display. Tap the Mobile Phish Alert button to report the email. Once confirmed, the phishing email will immediately be deleted from your inbox and forwarded to the relevant IT team within your organization for further action.

Outlook Mobile App (IOS)

• To report a malicious email on any open email page, follow the steps outlined below:
• Step 1: Locate the three dots appearing at the top right of your screen and tap
• Step 2: A prompt asking you to confirm your actions will display. Tap the Phish Alert button to report the phishing email. Once confirmed, the phishing email will be immediately be forwarded to the relevant IT team for further action.
• Step 3: A prompt asking you to confirm your actions will display.

How Do I Use the PAB in Gmail?

Notably, to use the Google PAB extension to report and forward malicious emails, you must first be logged into both your Gmail account and Google Chrome. Once you have successfully installed the Gmail Chrome browser, follow the steps below to report suspicious emails with the PAB tool:

• Step 1: install the PAB add-in and restart your Chrome. You will receive a prompt asking you to “Allow the KnowBe4 PAB app”. Click the “Allow” button on this message.
• Step2: an orange Phish Hook will display within Gmail. Use the Phish Hook to report any suspicious email as a phishing email.

How Do I Use the New PAB in Microsoft 365?

After installing the PAB add-in, a PAB icon will show on the open email’s drop down menu. Follow the steps outlined below to report an email as a phishing email

• Step 1: Click the PAB icon
• Step 2: A sidebar prompt asking you to confirm your actions will display. Click the PAB button to report the email as a phishing email.

What Are the Benefits of the New Phish Alert Button?

The new Phish Alert Button offers several benefits to both organizations and businesses. These included:

1. Fast and efficient reporting: The PAB reinforces your organization’s security culture by enabling users to report malicious emails with just one click. It also provides your employees with instant feedback to reinforce their training.
2. Early phishing attacks: Your IT team gets early phishing alerts from users, thus enabling them to act proactively and prevent cybercriminals from accessing your IT environment.
3. Easy deployment: Unlike other complex security tools, the PAB can be easily deployed via MSI file for Outlook, G Suite deployment for Gmail (Chrome), and manifest install for Microsoft 365.

Get Professional Help

Notably, your users are the first line of defense against email-based criminal activity. The PAB is a handy tool that helps your IT or risk management team with early warnings of impending phishing attacks or malicious emails so they can take proactive actions to ensure no security breaches or network compromise. If you need help to secure your IT infrastructure against all forms of cyberattacks, including phishing threats, contact Network Security Associates today.

We provide comprehensive managed security IT services customized to meet your organizations’ specific needs. Our MSP security services encompass continuous monitoring and management of security devices and systems, anti-viral services, vulnerability scanning, virtual private network, intrusion detection, managed firewall, and more. Contact us today to learn more.