Most of us have received spam at some point. Whether it's a fake parcel notification, an unexpected sales pitch, or an email promising something that's too good to be true, spam is a fact of life online.
The good news is that Microsoft 365 blocks thousands of unwanted emails every day, including many messages containing malware or viruses. However, no filter is perfect, so occasionally spam may still make its way into your Inbox, and sometimes legitimate emails can end up in Junk Email.
Looking for a Missing Email?
If you're expecting an email and can't find it, check your Junk Email folder.
Sometimes genuine messages are mistakenly identified as spam. If you find an email that belongs in your Inbox, simply move it back. You can also add the sender to your Safe Senders list if you regularly receive emails from them.
What Should I Do with Spam?
If a spam email appears in your Inbox:
- Don't reply to it.
- Don't click any links.
- Don't open attachments.
- Use Report > Report Junk in Outlook.
- Block the sender if unwanted emails continue.
- Delete the email when you're finished.
Reporting junk messages helps improve spam filtering and reduces similar unwanted emails in the future.
Replying to spam can confirm that your email address is active, which may result in even more unwanted messages.
Report Junk or Report Phishing?
Outlook provides different reporting options depending on the type of message you've received.
- Report Junk for unwanted advertising, newsletters, marketing emails, or nuisance messages.
- Report Phishing for emails that appear suspicious, impersonate someone else, request sensitive information, ask for money, or direct you to a fake website.
If you're unsure, choose Report Phishing.
When to Be Extra Careful
Some spam is simply annoying. Other messages are designed to steal information or gain access to accounts.
Be cautious if a message:
- Creates urgency or pressure to act quickly.
- Requests passwords, banking details, or personal information.
- Contains unexpected attachments or links.
- Pretends to be from a trusted organisation, supplier, or colleague.
If something doesn't feel right, report it as phishing and avoid interacting with it.
Still Getting Lots of Spam?
If spam messages are regularly making it into your Inbox, contact the Help Desk. They can investigate and help improve our email filtering.
Need Help?
If you're unsure whether an email is legitimate, contact the Help Desk for advice.
Email: helpdesk@wisegroup.co.nz
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