Outlook Protection scans email content and extracts links into a structured format for review without interacting directly with the email content.
The user selects one of the extracted links for review. Every assessment is initiated and controlled by the user.
A preview of the destination is generated before the user chooses whether to proceed.
Contextual indicators help assess whether a link may be suspicious.
Attachments are analyzed and the user is alerted if content appears potentially executable.
The user decides whether to open, ignore, or disable the link. Outlook Protection does not act automatically.
All actions are user-driven. The app supports evaluation and does not replace antivirus software.
Email remains the most common entry point for cyberattacks. Research shows that 96% of cyberattacks start with email, and billions of phishing emails are sent every day. Most phishing attacks rely on malicious links hidden inside emails, which redirect users to fake websites designed to steal credentials or install malware. Outlook Protection helps users identify and review these links before clicking them.
Yes. It works regardless of the email account configured in Outlook, including Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and corporate email accounts.
No. Outlook Protection runs alongside Outlook and simply extracts links from emails to help users inspect them before opening. It has minimal impact on system performance. The add-in may take a few seconds to load when Outlook starts for the first time, but it does not slow down email processing or normal Outlook usage.
Partially. Outlook Protection can still extract and display links from emails while you are offline. However, advanced features such as link preview generation and AI-based link scanning require an internet connection.
Outlook Protection reads email content only to identify and extract embedded URLs and hyperlinks. No email content is stored, transmitted, or shared with external servers.
To enable the AI check, sign up for a free account on VirusTotal (https://www.virustotal.com/). Once registered, copy your API key and paste it into the designated field in the application. Without an API key, the AI check will run locally only and WILL be less accurate.
If a link is identified as safe, it can be opened normally without warnings or delays.
If a link is identified as unsafe, the user can choose to delete the email or disable all extracted links. Once disabled, the links will no longer be available in the email content
If a user opens a malicious link, the consequences depend on the nature of the attack. Common risks include: Phishing attempts that steal login credentials, Malware downloads or Fake login pages designed to capture sensitive information. Security reports show that users now receive at least one advanced phishing link per week on average.
No. Outlook Protection is not an antivirus. Instead, it is an email security add-in designed to help users identify suspicious links inside emails. It extracts and displays embedded URLs so users can review them before opening them.
No. Attackers often include legitimate links alongside malicious ones to make emails appear trustworthy. Each link should be inspected individually before opening.
No. Outlook Protection does not have to actively inspect every link all the time.
Some trusted domains are already excluded by default, meaning links from those domains will not trigger link inspection. Users can also add additional domains to the exclusion list if needed.
In addition, Outlook Protection can be enabled or disabled at any time, allowing users to turn the protection on only when they want to inspect email links.
No. Outlook Protection uses a per-computer permanent license. There are no monthly or yearly subscription fees.