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How do I turn on link protection in Microsoft 365?

Defender Safe Links checks URLs at click time, not just at delivery. Catches phishing where the link goes 'live' two hours later.

Try this first

  1. 1Defender > Email & collaboration > Policies & rules > Safe Links. Included from Business Premium upward.
  2. 2Create a policy for all users. Enable 'Action for unknown potentially malicious URLs in messages'.
  3. 3Also enable 'Apply Safe Links to email messages sent within the organization'. Catches phishing from a hacked colleague account too.
  4. 4Test: click a link from a test mail. URL should now run via safelinks.protection.outlook.com.
  5. 5If users ask 'my links look weird', explain: this is protection now. Do not turn it off.

When to bring us in

No Defender for Office 365 (not in Business Standard)? We can advise whether the upgrade is worth it for you, or a different solution fits. Not always necessary.

See also

None of the above fits?

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