A new security feature in Outlook scans and rewrites certain URLs embedded in email messages to help protect you against phishing attacks and other scams. Here's what you need to know about this new feature called Safe Links.

What is Safe Links, and why are we using it?

Safe Links is a security feature in Microsoft 365 that scans attachments and links to web pages for phishing attempts, viruses and malware. Rowan University implemented Safe Links when we moved to Exchange Online in spring 2023 to better protect your account from cyber threats. 

Visit Microsoft's website for more details on Safe Links.  

How do I know if a link or attachment has been scanned by Safe Links?

When Safe Links scans a link in an email, it rewrites the URL and adds a prefix, like the following https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/

You may see the rewritten URLs in the bottom of your browser or application window when you hover over the link with your cursor, as shown below:

The rewritten URLs may also appear briefly in your browser's address bar when you click on a link. If Microsoft detects something suspicious with the URL, it'll notify you when you click it. 

If Safe Links detects a malicious attachment, it will remove the attachment so you don't accidentally open it. 

How can I determine the true destination of a link rewritten by Safe Links?

Use our Safe Links decoder to find the destination of a URL rewritten by Safe Links without clicking on it. Do not use this tool to bypass the Safe Links feature and go directly to a URL, as it increases your chance of getting caught in a phishing scam or other cyberattack. 

Are any URLs exempt from Safe Links?

Rowan University has exempted some rowan.edu URLs from Safe Links.