Microsoft Safe Links

What is Safe Links?

Safe Links is part of the Microsoft Defender platform, this feature helps protect you against malicious links and malware by checking and scanning the web address to determine whether the site is safe to visit or not. If the website is unsafe to visit, you will be alerted. It is highly recommended that you do not proceed to access an unsafe site as you may expose your device or personal information to malware or a malicious attack.

How does Safe Links work?

When you access a link through a Microsoft application, Safe Links will run a check on the site to determine if the site is malicious. It will also check and scan any files or documents available on the website to prevent any malicious files from downloading onto your system. Safe Links currently operates on both the Desktop version of the Office Suite and the online Office Suite. If the site you are visiting is free of Malware, you will proceed uninterrupted. On the other hand, you will be redirected to a warning page.

DO NOT access any websites that Safe Links has flagged as malicious, this may put your account and device at risk.

Safe Links benefits

Helps prevent exposure to malware via links and attachments
A seamless experience for you, unless you visit a malicious page
Real-time protection upon accessing a link

Applications covered under Safe Links

Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint in both Desktop and browser versions)
Visio on Windows
OneNote (browser version)

What do I do if a legitimate site has been blocked?

If you believe a legitimate and safe site has been blocked by Safe Links, please contact IT Support and we can investigate why it is being blocked.