Reporting SPAM

Microsoft uses a learning engine that classifies if a message is spam. When you report a message, the engine picks up the newer techniques that spammers use and will be able to automatically classify similar messages as spam. Spamming and phishing attempts are continually evolving. If you receive a junk email in your inbox, you can use the “Report Message” add-in to send the message to Microsoft to help improve Microsoft’s spam filters. 

Messages that your Office 365 email account marks as junk are automatically moved to your Junk Email folder. However, If you find an email in your Junk Email folder that's not spam, you can use the Report Message add-in to mark it as a legitimate email, move the message to your Inbox, and report the false positive to help Microsoft improve Microsoft’s spam filters.  The “Report Message Button”, is shown in the image below:

Reporting a message 

When you click the Report Message button on the ribbon, you'll see several different options. The Report Message button can be used from the main Outlook window or when a message is opened. 

If you choose Junk, Phishing, or Not Junk, you'll have the option to send a copy of the message to Microsoft, along with your classification of the message. This is optional but we recommend that messages are submitted to Microsoft as it helps improve their service. To turn off the option to send a copy of the message to Microsoft, choose Options and then follow the steps listed under Report Message add-in options. 

What to do when you are not sure?

Anytime you are not sure if the email you received is legitimate, please confirm the email by calling the sender if you know the sender, if not forward it to support@uwcm.org, DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS OR OPEN ATTACHEMNTS included in the email.

What's Junk email? 

Junk email messages are typically referred to as spam. These are messages that you don't want to receive that may be advertising products you don't use or find offensive. If you choose the Junk option, a copy of the message may be sent to Microsoft to help update Microsoft’s spam filters, and the message will be moved from your Inbox to your Junk Email folder, after 30 days the message will be automatically deleted.

What's phishing? 

Phishing is the practice of luring you into disclosing personal information, such as bank account numbers and passwords. Often phishing messages look legitimate, but have deceptive links that actually open fake websites. If you select Phishing, a copy of your message may be sent to Microsoft to help update Microsoft’s filters, and the message will be moved from your Inbox to your Junk Email folder, after 30 days the message will be automatically deleted.

What's a legitimate email?

If you know the sender and you're expecting the message, or if you receive a message that's mistakenly marked as junk, you can use the Report Message add-in to mark the message as Not Junk. This will move the message from the Junk Email folder back to your Inbox.  

Report Message add-in options 

Choosing Options from the Report Message button allows you to choose whether messages are automatically sent to Microsoft when they're reported as junk or phishing attempts.  

Changing your Report Message options  

1. Choose Options from the Report Message button on the Ribbon.
   

2. Select one of the following options: 
   

• Always send a copy of the message to Microsoft 
  
• Never send a copy of the message to Microsoft 
  
• Ask before sending a copy of the message to Microsoft 
  

3. Once you've made your selection, choose Save. You'll see the following message in the InfoBar in the message header confirming your changes were saved successfully.